Gavin Harrison here!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Phil Brodermann

Hello Gavin, I noticed three cameras at the poole clinic; are you planning to release this footage?

No plans to release it - but if comes out really good I'm might put some of it on the web.

Hi Gus

Will your work allow you to see the Zildjian European Tour of Steve Gadd?.

Unfortunately I'll be touring the States when he's playing in the UK.

Hi steste50

Talking about Lewis Taylor: i personally link him to another "modern pioneer" of that kinda music i.e. Jamiroquai. Do you like what Jami does and how would U see Yerself drumming for him?

I really like Jamiroquai - I can't see myself getting the job - Derek McKenzie plays so great with the band.

Hi pixelbreaker

At 5:13 of "What Happens Now?", I can never figure out the time there. Could you elaborate on the time signature or just what you're playing there?

Thanks to Alex for the transcription. The really hard part is marking the downbeats of every fourth bar with a crash cymbal - because as you can see - the pattern resolves every three bars.

cheers
Gavin

[supermac]

Hi Gavin.

First off, it was great to talk to you over the phone a few months back. I interviewed you before your Newcastle PT show in December.

I've been enjoying working with your new DVD/book/play along tracks.

Have you had any thoughts about taking the 05ric stuff out live, with a small 4-5 piece band maybe?

I'm sure there's decent audience potential out there for you.


Cheers...

[Swiss Matthias]

Hi pixelbreaker,

It's in 7/8. The ride cymbal is played every 3rd 16ths.

Yeah, that's a nice groove! I like the dotted eight note hihat over the 7/8 BD/Snare pattern!

[kevlionel]

Hi Gavin.
First of all, thank you very very much for your time, replying to all the questions in this thread. That's not to be taken for granted.

I have a question regarding the PT gig at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Are you allowed to reveal some details about this special show? Will you play the incident in in it's entirety again? Please note that I don't want you to spoil all the surprises or secrets/mysteries about this gig. And of course I understand if you're not willing to/are not allowed to say anything about it.

I've never been in the Royal Albert Hall, however, I assume that it is a very beautiful venue and kind of a "prestige location". I'd like to ask if playing there is kind of "special" to you? Any special feelings about it?

Thanks in advance for your time and props to you for "Rhythmic Designs". Awesome book and DVD!

Cheers, Kevin

[Florian]

Gavin,

A quick question regarding your touring, I'm curious as to whether or not you have a 'rider' or not contractually and, if so, some of the specifics (a case of Evian water, ham sandwiches, etc...). Obviously this is personal and if you choose not to answer, it's understandable.

just curious.

Cheers!

Best,
Florian

[carlos ramos]

Hi Gavin.
I want to ask you something about accuracy and WOA you talked before.
I know that that is Impossible that any drummer can be 100% on spot with click all times (i dream with that).
but how do you consider as a good WOA?
i record myself and when i go and analyze, normally i tend to be like 1/64 note antecipated to click. sometimes in worst parts maybe 1/32 note. can you talk more about accuracy and how to develop this. and about a good acepptabe WOA. i think half 1/64 was good. but it is hard.
What do you think and aproach about it?

Thank you

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi supermac

Have you had any thoughts about taking the 05ric stuff out live, with a small 4-5 piece band maybe?

I'm always thinking about it - there's just a lot of logistics to consider first.

Hi kevlionel

I have a question regarding the PT gig at the Royal Albert Hall in October.
Are you allowed to reveal some details about this special show?

No because it will only trigger the most incredible amount of moaning and complaining from some fans who always post on certain forums. No matter what we do - it won't please everyone.

I've never been in the Royal Albert Hall, however, I assume that it is a very beautiful venue and kind of a "prestige location". I'd like to ask if playing there is kind of "special" to you? Any special feelings about it?

It's a really nice venue - I've played there before with Level 42.

Hi Florian

A quick question regarding your touring, I'm curious as to whether or not you have a 'rider' or not contractually.

Yes we do - but I can't reveal the specifics of it.

Hi carlos ramos

I want to ask you something about accuracy and WOA you talked before.
I know that that is Impossible that any drummer can be 100% on spot with click all times
but how do you consider as a good WOA?

That's a kind of personal preference. What I might find unacceptable - someone else think is fine. I'd hope to get within about 10 milliseconds - I think tthat would satisfy my Window Of Acceptability. The real important part is that you're consistent. If your snare is about 15ms behind the beat pretty much all the time - that will be your groove. If it's not consistently in the same zone - it won't sound good. Same with the bass drum and hi hat of course.

i record myself and when i go and analyze, normally i tend to be like 1/64 note antecipated to click. sometimes in worst parts maybe 1/32 note. can you talk more about accuracy and how to develop this. and about a good acepptabe WOA. i think half 1/64 was good.

In my experience most people play in front of the beat somewhere between a few milliseconds and a couple of weeks!! When you hear a drummer playing right on the beat - they sound laid back relative to the other musicians who might be playing in front. You can't really measure in 1/64ths because it would be a different amount of milliseconds depending on the tempo.

cheers
Gavin

[carlos ramos]

Thank you gavin. I will record all my sessions, and see my progress.

One more question.
do you have some good exercices to have that laid back feeling? I think my groove can become better, as close as I play to the click. i tried a few exercices. i turn the click on, then grab a stick and then, try to really catch the clik and stop hearing it. i don´t know if this helps me. but i really have to concentrate and relax, and it is not an easy one.
I´m hoping i can change my groove by practicing this or another exercices....

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

I know you are in to some older music and some old r&b etc. Have you heard of Diane Birch ? Her debut is called Bible Belt and I have to say it is some of the best blue eyed soul I have ever heard. The album really sounds like it was recorded 35 years ago in places and I think this is a good thing. She has an amazing voice and writes all her own music. Cindy Blackman on drums for some tracks and some great session guys on some others. If you havnt heard her you might want to check it out.

See ya may 1st in Ohio !!

[steste50]

Hi Gavin,

have U ever tried snare drums with those big thick maple rims and, if so, what do U think of the resulting sound?

Thx a lot,
Ste

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

A small question about displacement. I was listening to the Brighton Dome 1994 concert with Level 42. On the track Mr Pink, there are some parts where it seems you displace the snare, though it seems you are following the keyboard/horn accents. It might sound silly but do you think that the principles of displacement (and for that matter also overriding and substitution) also work for other instruments (like keyboards)?

Btw, received my copy of the Incident DVD-A. Sounds wonderful and the video of Octane Twisted is a nice bonus! (Loved that one during the show). Hope to see you guys playing in Holland this year. The RAH show is sadly sold out, as are your sonor drumclinics :(

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi carlos ramos

do you have some good exercices to have that laid back feeling? I think my groove can become better, as close as I play to the click. i tried a few exercices. i turn the click on, then grab a stick and then, try to really catch the clik and stop hearing it. i don´t know if this helps me. but i really have to concentrate and relax, and it is not an easy one.
I´m hoping i can change my groove by practicing this or another exercices....

I think it's something you need to really hear and feel. Listening to 'laid back' players is probably the most useful thing. It took me a long time to try to get that sound into my playing.

Hi Liquid_Drummer

I know you are in to some older music and some old r&b etc. Have you heard of Diane Birch ?

No - but I'll try to check out her stuff - thanks.

Hi steste50

have U ever tried snare drums with those big thick maple rims and, if so, what do U think of the resulting sound?

I've never owned one - but I've played a few and quite liked them. You get a nice thick sound from the rim shots.

Hi SantiBanks

A small question about displacement. I was listening to the Brighton Dome 1994 concert with Level 42. On the track Mr Pink, there are some parts where it seems you displace the snare, though it seems you are following the keyboard/horn accents. It might sound silly but do you think that the principles of displacement (and for that matter also overriding and substitution) also work for other instruments (like keyboards)?

Yes the displaced snare hits are to follow the keyboard accents. You can apply the concepts of rhythmic illusions to keyboards. If the melodic part you are playing is very strong and easily recognisable - then you could play it in a displaced position - or play it in a different subdivision. There's a good example of 'melodic displacement' in Black Dog by Led Zeppelin

cheers
Gavin.

[gibeachhead]

Gavin,

What do you believe are the advantages/disadvantages of using smaller sticks or larger sticks (thickness, length, etc.)? How large of an effect do you think the size of a players hands have on the ability of using certain sized sticks?

Thanks in advance

[karan.patil]

Hi Gavin,

Any news on when the Anesthetize DVD (tilburg) is up for sale? Will the special edition be up on Burning Shed as well?

cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi gibeachhead

What do you believe are the advantages/disadvantages of using smaller sticks or larger sticks (thickness, length, etc.)? How large of an effect do you think the size of a players hands have on the ability of using certain sized sticks?

That's a hard question because some folks like playing with smaller/larger/thinner/thicker sticks. Obviously if you want to play really loud a bigger stick is the way to go. If you have really big hands - then small sticks feel uncomfortable and vice versa. I think it's too much of a personal preference to really answer properly.

Hi karan.patil

Any news on when the Anesthetize DVD (tilburg) is up for sale? Will the special edition be up on Burning Shed as well?


Announcement to be made any day now. Yes the special edition will be available via Burning Shed and the regular edition should be at our upcoming live shows too.

cheers
Gavin

[Liquid_Drummer]

Gavin,

I have searched the internet high and low and not been able to find much info on drumming and caloric burn.

As there are so many styles in drumming involving different dynamics and force I seems that a baseline or average would be hard to establish. Do you have any knowledge on this subject ? Anyone ?

Oh and by the way, when you are in Cinci on May 1st you might want to check out the pub that is right across the street from the venue. If you can stomach a hamburger on show day they have about 200 different ways to make one and I believe that they have veggie burgers in the same number of ways. Awesome food (if it is still there).

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

I've been pondering this question, and it might possibly be the dumbest question you've ever read, but here goes. What do you think your drums sound like if you placed the microphones near the bottom heads of the drums? Do you think there would be less or more resonance? The only positive thing I can see coming out of that would be that you wouldn't have to dodge and/or worry about smashing a microphone with your drumstick.

Thanks for your time

Eric

[Fiery]

Gavin,

I have searched the internet high and low and not been able to find much info on drumming and caloric burn.

As there are so many styles in drumming involving different dynamics and force I seems that a baseline or average would be hard to establish. Do you have any knowledge on this subject ? Anyone ?
This is the only study related to physical effects of drumming that I'm aware of:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1037159/Drummers-fitter-footballers-say-scientists.html

[Liquid_Drummer]

Nice find. I changed my diet just a bit and the pounds just fell off. I guess it was the drumming. Dropped 30 pounds and now at my ideal weight. Thank you drums !

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Liquid_Drummer


I have searched the internet high and low and not been able to find much info on drumming and caloric burn.

I've no idea. I didn't really start burning calories until I started riding a bicycle.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

What do you think your drums sound like if you placed the microphones near the bottom heads of the drums? Do you think there would be less or more resonance?

It sounds nasty. All the ringing that you don't really want.

Cheers
Gavin

P.S some funky samples of Ed Poole's album over here on his player http://www.myspace.com/edpoole

[Adam8]

Hi, I'm excited to hear that the Anesthetize DVD will be available soon, but was wondering why Stars Die and Prodigal from the Tilburg sets will not be included on the DVD. I'll still get it for sure though and sorry if this has already been asked. Thanks

[Anders Slåke]

Hey Gavin!

Thank you for taking time to answer us fans, inspire us and helping us improve as musicians, I and I guess all the others here appreciate it! :)

I was just wondering if it was possible in someway to get the drumless "Slippin' Away" - track that you play with on a couple of videos in youtube.

Thanks in advance!

[Fox622003]

Hello Gavin.
There's a small rhythmic illusion you do twice in the live version of "Hatesong" (from the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD) But I transcribed from 8:14 onwards (On this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4f3PoAoNqA&feature=related, and yes it sucks that a lot of this material is all over the web for free, but at least more people get to see some quality stuff from you guys) Anyway, is it something like that?. Well, I really like the feel of that illusion, so I hope you can give me some insight on it. Thanks!


Fox.

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

how are you doing!?


I've got one question about O-Rings..
I made one of an old Practice Pad like this:
http://store.drumbum.com/media/drum-practice-pad.jpg

My ring is about 2cm wide and is about 2mm thick.
When I use it with my 14" Snare Drum (Sonor Artist Vintage Maple) and I play ghost notes very silence, I can't hear the snare wires any more. You may know what I mean.

Do you have any tips how I can solve the problem? Or is the problem, that the O-Ring is to thick?!

Thank you very much
David

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Adam8

I'm excited to hear that the Anesthetize DVD will be available soon, but was wondering why Stars Die and Prodigal from the Tilburg sets will not be included on the DVD.

There just wasn't room to fit all that onto a DVD - I believe it's already way over two hours.

Hi Anders Slåke

I was just wondering if it was possible in someway to get the drumless "Slippin' Away" - track that you play with on a couple of videos in youtube.

Sorry - I don't give away my backing tracks. You could do what I did and pay a keyboard player to make the track for you.

Hi Fox622003

There's a small rhythmic illusion you do twice in the live version of "Hatesong" (from the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD) But I transcribed from 8:14 onwards (On this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4f3P...eature=related, and yes it sucks that a lot of this material is all over the web for free, but at least more people get to see some quality stuff from you guys) Anyway, is it something like that?.

It sounds more triplet based to me.

Hi Kalma

My ring is about 2cm wide and is about 2mm thick.
When I use it with my 14" Snare Drum (Sonor Artist Vintage Maple) and I play ghost notes very silence, I can't hear the snare wires any more. You may know what I mean.
Do you have any tips how I can solve the problem? Or is the problem, that the O-Ring is to thick?!

Yes WAY too thick. That would kill any snare drum. You need to make them out of old drum heads.

cheers
Gavin

[Alex P.]

Hello Gavin.
There's a small rhythmic illusion you do twice in the live version of "Hatesong" (from the "Arriving Somewhere" DVD) But I transcribed from 8:14 onwards (On this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4f3PoAoNqA&feature=related, and yes it sucks that a lot of this material is all over the web for free, but at least more people get to see some quality stuff from you guys) Anyway, is it something like that?. Well, I really like the feel of that illusion, so I hope you can give me some insight on it. Thanks!


Fox.

Hi Fox,

Maybe i'm wrong, but I would have write this fill like this:


edit: Gavin answered faster than me...! :)

[Fox622003]

Hi Fox,

Maybe i'm wrong, but I would have write this fill like this:


edit: Gavin answered faster than me...! :)

Perfect, thanks! I knew something odd was going on with my interpretation of it, I thought Gavin just pulled the beat there or something, and that's why it didn't sound exactly how I wrote it, but it was triplet based, which makes more sense. Thanks a lot for the transcription.


Fox.

[fromyesterday]

Hi guys

I made and run askgavinharrison.com

Due to me and my families home burning down last month I could use a little help on this website. I could use graphic design help (because I don't do that sort of thing) and some bodies to log more of Gavin's answers from here.

The job pays nothing :)

As to not derail this thread, pm me if you can help.

http://www.drdispatch.com/fire/fire2.jpg

[Drum-Head]

Not to hijack the tread or anything but I cam across this. Sorry for your house man!

[wio]

Hi Gavin,

Because there seems to be several 12 strand puresound snare wires, I wanted to ask which one you use in spesific? Concert or equalizer?

PURESOUND C1412 CONCERT TEPPICH 14/12 (http://www.thomann.de/fi/puresound_c1412_concert_teppich_14_12.htm)

There's a gap between the wires here:
PURESOUND E1412 EQUALIZER TEPPICH 14/12 (http://www.thomann.de/fi/puresound_e1412_equalizer_teppich_14_12.htm)

Or some other one? Thank you.

[PreludetoRuin]

Hi Gavin!

First I want to say how much of an inspiration you are for my drumming, and how much your view on polyrhythms and odd times had improved my general approach to my bands songs!

Now to my question. I was trying to fool around with the 3 16ths override over a pattern of 7/8, but im really struggling to internalize it, to the point of frustration. I want to apply it to one of my songs, but im not making any progress sadly.

Do you have any tips on how to get the feel of 3 over 7? Also, in this case after how many bars of 7 would the pattern resolve?

Thx a lot for your time

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi wio

Because there seems to be several 12 strand puresound snare wires, I wanted to ask which one you use in spesific? Concert or equalizer?

Neither. I prefer Puresound Custom P1412

Hi PreludetoRuin

Do you have any tips on how to get the feel of 3 over 7? Also, in this case after how many bars of 7 would the pattern resolve?

Playing 3/16ths over 7/8 is not an easy thing to do. It will take 3 bars of 7/8 for it to resolve. It would also take 7 bars of 3/8. Try writing out your pattern in 7/8 and see exactly where the 3/16ths land in relation to the bass drum and snare drum notes. Then try and hear it from the other perspective and write out the whole thing again in 7/4 triplets where the cymbal in on each quarter note - and the bass drum and snare drum are playing around inside the triplets. Make sense?
One perspective will be easier to you than the other - even though your limbs will be playing exactly the same thing in both cases.

cheers
Gavin

[ChrisGau]

Hi Gavin,

Announcement to be made any day now. Yes the special edition will be available via Burning Shed and the regular edition should be at our upcoming live shows too.


Will there also be a Blu-Ray available in parallel to the DVD? Seeing you guys on HD on my screen would make my day... no doubt.

[wio]

Neither. I prefer Puresound Custom P1412

It looks like Puresound is no longer making them. I can't find them anywhere. Where do you buy/order them from?

This sucks. I have currently 20 (not Puresound) strands but playing with so many strands is a nightmare.

[gibeachhead]

Hi Gavin,



Will there also be a Blu-Ray available in parallel to the DVD? Seeing you guys on HD on my screen would make my day... no doubt.

From what I gather, this is what will be released:

-Special Edition (1DVD, 1BluRay, 2 CDs all encased in a book w/ images from the bands live shows)
-2 Disc edition (1DVD, 1BluRay)
-Standard edition (1DVD)

[ChrisGau]

-Special Edition (1DVD, 1BluRay, 2 CDs all encased in a book w/ images from the bands live shows)
-2 Disc edition (1DVD, 1BluRay)
-Standard edition (1DVD)

Great... couldn't find these details. Thanks.

[steste50]

Hello Gavin,

1. At what sample rates do U normally record when U're requested to prepare the very final tracks aka at what sample rates usually pro's record in studios?

2. Have U got the famous "Masterplan" CD by Dave Weckl? The title track is a drums duet based tune by Chick Corea where Weckl plays with Gadd: the result is amazing to me 'cuz the drums don't battle to each other but make real music. Have U ever done anything like that or planning/wishing to do something similar in future? See also the result of the duet by two so different guys like Thomas Lang and Luis Conte at the MD Festival.....

thank U again,
Ste

[<3Josh<3]

Just a quick question about the workout mat under your drums...is it a firm mat? Reason being, I couldn't figure out why my playing was always different at my guitartist's house for practice, than it was at home. At home, the drums are in a basement on a hard floor, and at my guitarists, it's on a carpet. At home, it's much more comfortable to play, but at my guitarists, the extra play from the carpet throws everything off. So anyway, I'm trying to find something to lay down over the carpet that would help take away the play that the carpet would have. Any suggestions?

If I'm not making sense, I apologize...been a long day at work. :)

Take Care!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi wio

It looks like Puresound is no longer making them. I can't find them anywhere. Where do you buy/order them from?

Yes I couldn't find them online anymore so I guess they have stopped producing them. Bad news. I'll talk to them and see if they'll make a batch of just 8 strands available.

Hi steste50

1. At what sample rates do U normally record when U're requested to prepare the very final tracks aka at what sample rates usually pro's record in studios?

Generally for CD 44.1khz or 48khz for video.

2. Have U got the famous "Masterplan" CD by Dave Weckl? The title track is a drums duet based tune by Chick Corea where Weckl plays with Gadd: the result is amazing to me 'cuz the drums don't battle to each other but make real music. Have U ever done anything like that or planning/wishing to do something similar in future? See also the result of the duet by two so different guys like Thomas Lang and Luis Conte at the MD Festival.....

I think I do have Masterplan but I haven't heard it in a long time. I've done a couple of projects with two drummers - most recently in King Crimson with Pat Mastelotto. It's a hard thing to get right and needs a lot of planning beforehand. It's very different from doing drums + percussion because the sounds are not competing in the same way as having two snare drums and two bass drums.

Hi <3Josh<3

Just a quick question about the workout mat under your drums...is it a firm mat?

not completely - there is some give in them. But it's not like playing on carpet with underlay where things can get a bit wobbly - and if the carpet is thick it will suck up a lot of your sound too.

cheers
Gavin

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

What was the hardest part about writing "Beyond the A"? I know it's in 4/4, but you must have put the practice of subdivisions to the test! Did it remind you of playing 'Swerve" as an example of displacing notes?

Thanks
Eric

[pixelbreaker]

Hey Gavin,

I'm attending your show in Chicago on the 30th of April, can't wait. I saw that the band "Bigelf" will also be there. I find the music quite unique, much different from the sounds of PT. So how did you guys come to find this band?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi euphoric_anomaly

What was the hardest part about writing "Beyond the A"? I know it's in 4/4, but you must have put the practice of subdivisions to the test! Did it remind you of playing 'Swerve" as an example of displacing notes?

It was a fun thing to do actually. I've spent a lot time trying to make 'odd time signatures' sound not odd - so trying to make 4/4 sound 'odd' was kind of easy in a way. I guess that's where similarities to "Swerve" come in but I wasn't think of Swerve when I was working on "Beyond The A".

Hi pixelbreaker

I'm attending your show in Chicago on the 30th of April, can't wait. I saw that the band "Bigelf" will also be there. I find the music quite unique, much different from the sounds of PT. So how did you guys come to find this band?

I believe they're with the same booking agent as us - and they supported us in LA last year. Interesting band.

cheers
Gavin

[Fox622003]

Hey Gavin. The other day I was rehearsing with one of my bands and in the middle of the song I was playing this weird group of seven in a sixteenth note triplet feel that lasted for a bar and a half, and while at it, I was thinking: "Alright, what the heck?" I mean, even if your other band members manage to follow you on that, don't you think it breaks ther groove a bit? How do you decide when to do the whacky stuff? Personally, I have fun doing it, it is challenging, and to *me*, as a drummer, sounds cool, but most of the time, I think even as much as 80% of the people who are watching are going to think I'm messing up (and, of course, they won't be able to keep the beat), specially if there are several odd things all over the set. I don't know, it's kind of getting difficult to justify as I get more and more into this kind of stuff, as if I am losing perspective a bit, and most stuff odd sounds good to me, so I can't really decide if it's any good for the music or not. My best bet is it isn't... It would be great to hear your opinion on this, as someone who likes playing a lot of "rhythmic illusions".
And then there's also the matter of not only getting bored playing the obvious, but also being just another drummer, playing what any other drummer would.
Alright, hope the question wasn't too confusing, and thanks a lot for your time.


Fox.

[NeuroAxis]

Hey Gavin. The other day I was rehearsing with one of my bands and in the middle of the song I was playing this weird group of seven in a sixteenth note triplet feel that lasted for a bar and a half, and while at it, I was thinking: "Alright, what the heck?" I mean, even if your other band members manage to follow you on that, don't you think it breaks ther groove a bit? How do you decide when to do the whacky stuff? Personally, I have fun doing it, it is challenging, and to *me*, as a drummer, sounds cool, but most of the time, I think even as much as 80% of the people who are watching are going to think I'm messing up (and, of course, they won't be able to keep the beat), specially if there are several odd things all over the set. I don't know, it's kind of getting difficult to justify as I get more and more into this kind of stuff, as if I am losing perspective a bit, and most stuff odd sounds good to me, so I can't really decide if it's any good for the music or not. My best bet is it isn't... It would be great to hear your opinion on this, as someone who likes playing a lot of "rhythmic illusions".
And then there's also the matter of not only getting bored playing the obvious, but also being just another drummer, playing what any other drummer would.
Alright, hope the question wasn't too confusing, and thanks a lot for your time.


Fox.

I'm not Gavin but thought I'd drop my 2 cents in. I think if a drummer chooses to play a lot of odd time signatures/illusions/rhythmic trickery etc., it is his responsibility to make it musical and make it groove. As Gavin has pointed out many times, no one other than other musicians are gonna care that you understand how to play 13/16 or an 8th note triplet groove over 7/8 or whatever. But if you do it right, and you really focus on keeping the beat in the pocket no matter how the beat is chopped up, you can do it in a way that people will sort of almost not notice. They will know that the drummer is doing something weird, but if it grooves it shouldn't sound awkward or stilted.

I know the struggle you refer to; many times I have written overrides or rhythmic illusions into my parts and wondered if I was just being a drummer stroking myself or if it was actually a good musical decision. It's entirely subjective and personal. I like to go back to the greats like Neil Peart and Bill Bruford when I have any doubt, and listen to the way they would weave their rhythmic trickery into the groove and just make it completely organic.

[MyNameIsMud]

Hi Gavin,

I registered here mainly to tell you that you guys were great last night (Monterrey, Mexico). I really hope you come back soon! It was great to watch you play live dude, you're a huge inspiration to me.

Nice magic trick by the way haha

[KevShephard]

Hi Gavin,

Again, thanks so much for all of your inspiration!!

I am going to see you guys in Quebec City on May 6 and was wondering if you had an idea if the setlist was going to include the entire disc one of "Incident". I saw you in Montreal last year and, of course, you did the entire disc then, but I was just wondering if you were going to change that up, being back in the same neighbourhood.

Thanks!! Can't wait until May 6th!!

Kevin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Fox622003

The other day I was rehearsing with one of my bands and in the middle of the song I was playing this weird group of seven in a sixteenth note triplet feel that lasted for a bar and a half, and while at it, I was thinking: "Alright, what the heck?" I mean, even if your other band members manage to follow you on that, don't you think it breaks ther groove a bit? How do you decide when to do the whacky stuff?

As with anything you play you have to consider the context. If you're play some kind of way out fusion in a band like Allan Holdsworth's then it might have a place*. If you're doing top 40 music in a function room - it won't have a place.

* but it's also a question of taste. Presuming that you were playing in something like Allan's band - you would have to consider if you think it's tasteful and appropriate for that moment. Just because you CAN play it - doesn't mean it's always right TO play it.

It shouldn't break anyone's 'groove' if you play it in time. The moments where I choose to do something a little 'crazy' are only when I feel it's not going to ruin anything, and be in some way tasteful. I have witnessed drummers doing crazy things - and quite often I felt they were not in the right context and so it came across pretty badly (in my opinion). Someone else might have been standing in the same room and thought it was fantastic. It's all subjective to ones own personal taste.

Hi MyNameIsMud

I registered here mainly to tell you that you guys were great last night (Monterrey, Mexico).

thanks - we had a great time!!

Hi KevShephard

I am going to see you guys in Quebec City on May 6 and was wondering if you had an idea if the setlist was going to include the entire disc one of "Incident". I saw you in Montreal last year and, of course, you did the entire disc then, but I was just wondering if you were going to change that up, being back in the same neighbourhood.

I don't know what we will play exactly that night. I don't think we played Quebec last year - so there may be lots of folks there who are hoping to see the entire "Incident" performed as they didn't get chance last time.

cheers
Gavin

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

During the middle of 19 Days, you switch to a 3/8's? triplet on the hi-hat. I saw you recently stated that playing a 3/16 triplet over a 7/8 time is difficult, was it just as tough mastering that technique for the song? Whenever I play triplets it always seems to throw me off beat because I subconsciously want to start a triplet on 1.

Did you ever get the link to my website that I sent you?

Eric

[FearOfaPlanetWithoutGavin]

First of all, congrats on your first gig in Monterrey, I have a friend who lives there and that was the first time he saw you guys live. He was amazed!! He never believed me how amazing Porcupine Tree sounds live, but he totally does now!

Best of wishes on your (also) first gig in Guadalajara, bet is gonna be a blast!!

I'll see you guys on Wednesday in Mexico City, I already saw you guys in 2007, it was definitely the best gig (and day), of my life. I remember I got there at 12:00 p.m. and was waiting for you guys to come out at least to get something to eat, but never happened. It's ok though, just watching/listening you guys play was way worthy!

Bottom line, I was wondering, is there any chance to catch you up before or after the concert, just to say hi, shake hands and maybe have a picture? If not I'd totally understand, I guess you guys get tired of people asking for this, but you know I bet when you were younger (and even now), you had to wait outside a venue to catch your favourite musicians or so.

Anyway, in the end is all about the music and if there's no chance to meet you at least I know I'll watch/hear an amazing concert, and my favourite musician (which happens to be you) haha.

Thanks in advance, just for reading this Gavin. Best of wishes again, and have fun in Mexico!!!!

[omer]

hello Gavin

I wanted to ask you about your buzz and ghost notes technique,
in many PT songs i can hear that you do buzz rolls on the snare in fills or play 16th notes buzz while keeping 8th notes on the hihat or ride.
which technique do you use? are there any exercises or rudiments that you use to improve that technique, or ghost notes or buzz in general?

P.S
I'm really looking for the PT show here in Israel, is there any chance that while you are here you will do a clinic?

I really like your drumming, you are absolutely one of my favorite drummers
and thank you very much for answering your fans questions!

cheers
omer

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi euphoric_anomaly

During the middle of 19 Days, you switch to a 3/8's? triplet on the hi-hat. I saw you recently stated that playing a 3/16 triplet over a 7/8 time is difficult, was it just as tough mastering that technique for the song? Whenever I play triplets it always seems to throw me off beat because I subconsciously want to start a triplet on 1.

Your question has confused me - I don't play triplets on the hi hat in that song. A triplet is different to a group of 3/16ths. During one of the performances of 19 Days I do play a group of 3/16th of the 19/8 time signature...and yes it's quite hard!

Hi FearOfaPlanetWithoutGavin

I was wondering, is there any chance to catch you up before or after the concert, just to say hi, shake hands and maybe have a picture?

Sorry but I can't promise to meet you before or after the show as I don't know exactly when or what I'll be doing at those times. Sometimes we see people after the show - sometimes we leave the venue directly from the stage. Hope you enjoy the show.

Hi omer

I wanted to ask you about your buzz and ghost notes technique,
in many PT songs i can hear that you do buzz rolls on the snare in fills or play 16th notes buzz while keeping 8th notes on the hihat or ride.
which technique do you use? are there any exercises or rudiments that you use to improve that technique, or ghost notes or buzz in general?

I can't say that I use any particular technique for that. I guess it comes from my jazz background. The hard part is getting the ghost notes at the right volume for the context of the tune - and still being able to hit a hard backbeat too.

cheers
Gavin

[Hurlza]

G'day gavin,
recently i have been accepted in to the orchestra of this thing in australia called the victorian state school spectacular, it sort of like an estedford meets a musical, any way i was just wondering in what ways can i maximize the experience i get and the people i meet from this awesome opportunity?

Also the other day i was playing to anesthetize on my kit tuned to the intervals said earlier in this thread but it still sounded off, because this song is in drop c do you tune your drums any differently?

and before i forget, is your tour rack (the ICON) and your home rack set up so you can just drop your kit from oe to the other? like are they set up the same way?

thanks for your help
Hurlza

[Shreyas]

Hey Gavin, i caught you guys in Mumbai at the start of the year. I loved the show, PT are insane, and so are you. I hope you come to India more often, do a clinic tour here or something.

Anyway, i just wanted to ask you what kind of space do you record in for a good drum sound. None of the studios in Pune ( which is where i live) have that sound, so i was planning to record in this pub that i just did a show in over the weekend, and the drum sound on the live recording was really good. Anything wrong in that?

Shreyas

[Padman77]

I wanted to ask you about your buzz and ghost notes technique,
in many PT songs i can hear that you do buzz rolls on the snare in fills or play 16th notes buzz while keeping 8th notes on the hihat or ride.
which technique do you use? are there any exercises or rudiments that you use to improve that technique, or ghost notes or buzz in general?

I can't say that I use any particular technique for that. I guess it comes from my jazz background. The hard part is getting the ghost notes at the right volume for the context of the tune - and still being able to hit a hard backbeat too.

cheers
Gavin

Hi Gavin,
first I want to thank you for your quick and detailed anwering the last time ( the question about the piece of wood in your bass drum)!

Everytime I hear your ghost notes they sound amazing, just perfect and I ask myself the same question like omer. I mean, do you play one stroke on the ride cymbal an then rlrl on the snare and then again a stroke on the ride cymbal or is it more like lrll on the snare?
(At the Preview "Way out of here" of the new DVD I can see, that you play the ghost notes with both hands)

Cheers,
Padman

Yesterday I ordered the grey Editio of the Anesthetize DVD and the T-Shirt. Can't wait to get it! :D

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

My apologies for the confusion in my last post. What I thought was a triplet was just a group of 3 1/8th notes on the hi-hats, with the hats open on 3.

So to clarify, the intro is on the marimba? Looks like a huge xylophone?
Also, what are the tiny instruments that you hit with the small hammer in the middle of the video?

Thanks for your time Gavin
Cheers

Eric

[pixelbreaker]

Hey Gavin,

Blind House is one of my favorite songs off of the The Incident. There's that big break with all that keyboard stuff, really reminds me of some of the stuff that Steve Jansen did with Japan. Is that you playing there or is that just something that Richard has sampled on keyboards?



Thanks

--Branndon

[chongzilla]

Hi Gavin,
I just quit my band after being told that "Music is #2, business and making it are #1" and "I know you want to play more complex stuff, but that doesn't sell and I'm trying to make records that sell". (I posted about one of them not being able to play with a click or understand that eighth notes or quarter notes don't have a specific tempo and you said "get a gun" haha) To me music always has and will always be number 1. I've always thought of it as I'd just try to write or play the best that I can and if something happens good, if it doesn't, I'm still going to be playing, writing, and recording. Just creating something like Fear Of A Blank Planet or The Incident would be a success in my opinion. Is marketing a huge part of what you do? I'm just trying to see if I'm being nutty or not.
-Stan

[Fox622003]

Hi Gavin,
I just quit my band after being told that "Music is #2, business and making it are #1" and "I know you want to play more complex stuff, but that doesn't sell and I'm trying to make records that sell". (I posted about one of them not being able to play with a click or understand that eighth notes or quarter notes don't have a specific tempo and you said "get a gun" haha) To me music always has and will always be number 1. I've always thought of it as I'd just try to write or play the best that I can and if something happens good, if it doesn't, I'm still going to be playing, writing, and recording. Just creating something like Fear Of A Blank Planet or The Incident would be a success in my opinion. Is marketing a huge part of what you do? I'm just trying to see if I'm being nutty or not.
-Stan

Man, some punk that can't even keep the beat to an eighth note groove doesn't have a clue about anything, much less music...Ignore his comment, he is *not* going to "make it". Get a band of serious and more dedicated musicians, you just did yourself a favour by quitting.
Good luck.


Fox.

[NeuroAxis]

Neil Peart once said that musicians either sacrifice their lives for their music or their music for their lives.

I think most professional musicians have to strike a balance between gigs that stimulate their creative impulses and that stimulate their bank accounts. You need both to be a professional and to stay sane, I think. Unless you are one of the lucky 1% that hits mega-success with one good band (your Danny Careys and Neil Pearts (ironic given the quote above)).

But just as already has been mentioned, if the guy doesn't understand basic musical concepts like 8th notes and quarter notes, he's not gonna make in the industry bottom line. It's like someone wanting to play in the NBA without knowing what a pick & roll is.

[chongzilla]

Yeah, in Neil Peart's video called A Work In Progress, he mentioned that he packed everything up in a crate and flew to England to make it. He said at the time he thought "all you have to do is get good and you'll make it", but he learned a hard lesson and after a while flew back to Canada and worked on farm equipment for his father's company. Well, until the clouds parted and he tried out for Rush and everything changed!

I like playing gigs, it's just when I feel the aim is off I find it's hard to really be as into business like they are. By aim I mean both they're "business before music" and they book shows in random places where nobody knows us and the bands that are playing with us don't sound anything like us ("If you're really into Barry Manilow, you'll love ICP!" - Zach Galigianakis). My idea was to build a following in VA, then DC, then MD. That way some of the people from the other places would bleed over into the other areas. Instead of just being like "uh, lets play baltimore, um, new york, um, maybe dc?". Plus the guitarist was threatened by people he thought were better. I just thought of it as "bring your A game" or that it forces you to try harder if you're playing with better bands. If you book a bunch of band that aren't as good as you, you don't have to really work as hard. The best show was random. It was The Dreaming (ex-Stabbing Westward's Singer and Drummer) and Trust Company openning for us. Other than that, it's been mainly acts that don't have a crowd so we don't gain much from them. Or we'll play someplace and nobody'll be there like the last two shows we had three people that came to see us.

Outside of that, my musical direction is more progressive! haha

[chongzilla]

I might want to add that I'm not bashing them. I just feel that I'm just going a different direction. It took me a while to leave too. I wanted to leave in the recording process, but I didn't because I knew they couldn't afford it on their own and I couldn't leave them hanging. Plus, I wanted to get the album done. Even if it was taking forever. Like I recorded three of the tracks in 5 hours (including setup and teardown) and then guitarist took 5 hours to record a rhythm track that he had been playing before he was in the band. So things took a while. haha, though, I'll give it to him that he'd never recorded in a studio before the band so it was new for him.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hurlza

recently i have been accepted in to the orchestra of this thing in australia called the victorian state school spectacular, it sort of like an estedford meets a musical, any way i was just wondering in what ways can i maximize the experience i get and the people i meet from this awesome opportunity?

Record as much as you can and keep your ears and ideas open.

Also the other day i was playing to anesthetize on my kit tuned to the intervals said earlier in this thread but it still sounded off, because this song is in drop c do you tune your drums any differently?

I don't really tune my drums to specific notes. That tuning list I wrote down before was just a guide - it may not have been the exact tuning I used at the time that I recorded that song.

is your tour rack (the ICON) and your home rack set up so you can just drop your kit from oe to the other? like are they set up the same way?

Yes - I can easily drop one kit into another - the two racks (although not identical racks) are set up the same.

Hi Shreyas

Anyway, i just wanted to ask you what kind of space do you record in for a good drum sound. None of the studios in Pune ( which is where i live) have that sound, so i was planning to record in this pub that i just did a show in over the weekend, and the drum sound on the live recording was really good. Anything wrong in that?

Usually I record at home where I have a couple of different spaces. If your pub sounds good to you - then record your drums there.

Hi Padman77

Everytime I hear your ghost notes they sound amazing, just perfect and I ask myself the same question like omer. I mean, do you play one stroke on the ride cymbal an then rlrl on the snare and then again a stroke on the ride cymbal or is it more like lrll on the snare?
(At the Preview "Way out of here" of the new DVD I can see, that you play the ghost notes with both hands)

Quite often I play ghost notes with both hands and just move the right hand across from the ride to the snare drum. Sometimes it's doubles on the snare rrll and sometimes it's singles. Whatever I think sounds the best for the song and whatever sounds the most articulate in the mix. Sometimes I need the ghost notes to actually be quite loud for them to be audible in heavy songs. Occasionally I might even play the ghost notes on the rim of the snare.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

My apologies for the confusion in my last post. What I thought was a triplet was just a group of 3 1/8th notes on the hi-hats, with the hats open on 3.

Are you sure you're referring to "19 Days"? I don't recall playing what you describe there.

So to clarify, the intro is on the marimba? Looks like a huge xylophone?
Also, what are the tiny instruments that you hit with the small hammer in the middle of the video?

I think it is a large Xylophone. The other instruments are a pair of Javanese Gamelan

Hi pixelbreaker

Blind House is one of my favorite songs off of the The Incident. There's that big break with all that keyboard stuff, really reminds me of some of the stuff that Steve Jansen did with Japan. Is that you playing there or is that just something that Richard has sampled on keyboards?

It's not me playing - it's programmed. I'm a big Steve Jansen fan.

Hi chongzilla

I just quit my band after being told that "Music is #2, business and making it are #1" and "I know you want to play more complex stuff, but that doesn't sell and I'm trying to make records that sell". I've always thought of it as I'd just try to write or play the best that I can and if something happens good, if it doesn't, I'm still going to be playing, writing, and recording. Just creating something like Fear Of A Blank Planet or The Incident would be a success in my opinion. Is marketing a huge part of what you do?

Not everyone in a band always has the same plans and desires for the direction of where they should be heading. Chasing what you might think is a good 'commercial' way to go - usually ends in disaster. It's much better to make music that you like - and then hope the audience likes it too. On the other side of this is the need to make a living. I've played plenty of jobs that I didn't absolutely love - because I needed to make enough money to survive. Is marketing important? It can be very important if you've made an album that you think is really good and you want as many folks as possible to hear it and hopefully buy it.

cheers
Gavin

[Jeff_F]

Hello Mr. Harrison

I can't seem to put to words my admiration for your playing and I simply wanted add a thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions. I have learned so much, found some inspiration and even have a couple new things to practice from reading through this thread the past couple hours. The suggestion about approaching a difficult override from the 'other' perspective was especially brilliant and rang a bell with me (no pun intended).
So looking forward to seeing you guys in Dallas Tuesday night.. My tix have been on the fridge for months. I realize you cant make any promises but I'll be around before and after the show with my Incident LP and a sharpie :)

A million thanks for your time and input. I will be visiting this thread quite often from now on.

Jeff F

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

This is what I was inquiring about in reference to 19 Days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGGE2AdGZY
from 2:28 to 3:11

Hopefully this clears it up ;) lol

Eric

[A gamelan student]

Hi all. The intro to 19 Days is played on marimba and the small instruments are Balinese barangan, which (as Gavin says) is a type of gamelan metallophone.

[Toza]

Hi Gavin. How would you describe (in your own words) a double-dotted note? How you look at that. and do you look dotted note as three smaller notes or 1.5

[steste50]

Hello again Gavin,

I'd like to know if, when mixing, u use the technique of muting/cutting the parts of your drum tracks wherever they're not played (e.g. the parts of a tom track when the tom is not played).

Thx again,
Ste

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi euphoric_anomaly

This is what I was inquiring about in reference to 19 Days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGGE2AdGZY
from 2:28 to 3:11

OK now I've understood it - but they are not triplets - they are one 8th note (open hi hat) followed by two 16ths (closed).

Hi Toza

How would you describe (in your own words) a double-dotted note? How you look at that. and do you look dotted note as three smaller notes or 1.5

When a dot is added to a note it lengthens it by 50% - a double dot should lengthen the first dot by an additional 50%. So if you start with a quarter note and then add a dot it should equal 6/16ths and then if you add another dot it should equal 7/16s.

Hi steste50

I'd like to know if, when mixing, u use the technique of muting/cutting the parts of your drum tracks wherever they're not played (e.g. the parts of a tom track when the tom is not played).

Generally I don't cut the toms. Some people cut the lower toms when they're not being played to get rid of any ringing that's going on.

Cheers
Gavin

[Jeff_F]

hello Mr. Harrison,

You mention Phil GouId and Steve Jansen on the rhythmic designs DVD and I was wondering what other drummers you might recommend for studying really neat 4/4 grooves? I really dig all the off-time/poly-rhythm stuff but I don't want to get ahead of myself as a drummer if that makes any sense.

On that note, I really like how you approach poly-rhythms and overrides in your playing/songwriting.. always so tasteful! Can you name a couple drummers you listened to growing up to help you develop your ear and playing in those regards? (Forgive me if this kind of question has already been asked in this thread and I missed it).

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

When you were touring with King Crimson, which song (new or old) did you find to be the biggest challenge, as far as timing, tempo shifts, rests etc? Before you joined KC would you consider them a big influence in your playing style?

Thanks for your time, and explaining the 19 Days part.

Eric

[drumstu]

Gavin,
I would like to ask a technique question. Do you leave the beater off of the head when you strike the bass drum? Also, I know you play heel up, but do you ever drop your entire foot to where the heel lands with the foot? It seems to help me keep my balance but usual responses from most drummers are either heel up or heel down.

Thanks,
Stuart

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Jeff_F

You mention Phil GouId and Steve Jansen on the rhythmic designs DVD and I was wondering what other drummers you might recommend for studying really neat 4/4 grooves?

That's a hard question because I hear interesting things in so many players. Steve Jansen always did something that caught my ear.

On that note, I really like how you approach poly-rhythms and overrides in your playing/songwriting.. always so tasteful! Can you name a couple drummers you listened to growing up to help you develop your ear and playing in those regards?

Of course Vinnie Colaiuta is a real master at these kinds of things.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

When you were touring with King Crimson, which song (new or old) did you find to be the biggest challenge, as far as timing, tempo shifts, rests etc? Before you joined KC would you consider them a big influence in your playing style?

"Construction Of Light" and "Level 5" were the two hardest songs to play. I hadn't listened that much to KC before joining them. I think I had "Discipline" and "Three Of A Perfect Pair" on vinyl.

Hi drumstu

I would like to ask a technique question. Do you leave the beater off of the head when you strike the bass drum? Also, I know you play heel up, but do you ever drop your entire foot to where the heel lands with the foot?

I tend to leave the beater off the head - and my heal never touches the ground.

cheers
Gavin

[jungle]

Hi Gavin. i started to work on "Rhythmic Visions"
I picked this first pattern that you have showed, and move beat for one 8 note right, then 2 note, then 3 and then 4. And I did same to the left. Is this good way to start with this:)

[ChrisGau]

Gavin,

in one of the earlier posts, you provided us with your favourite click sounds which I use very often now. When finding out about a very cool iPodTouch/iPhone application called "Tempo" (which really got me to stop using my old Tama Rhythm Watch), I had the idea to suggest to the developer to offer the chance to use your particular click sounds in one of the next updates as an alternative soundset.

Is that something you would have a problem with? This is no freeware of course - so it´s not exactly non-commercial use - but on the other side, it´s an extremely cheap and convenient metronome for people that do already own an iPodTouch or iPhone.

Regards,
Christian

[Jeff_F]

ChrisGau,

If you are referring to the Frozen Ape app I also use that as my metronome. Good idea about the sounds.. I'd even pay for a 'Gavin Harrison sounds upgrade'. My good friend and one of my favorite drummers Rob Stankiewicz has an Iphone mount that he attached to his hit hat stand. Works really well.

Mr. Harrison,

I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the show in Dallas Tuesday night. One of the best I've ever seen. Normal was one of the big highlights for me and I'm still hoarse from screaming. I hope you guys enjoyed the show on stage as much as we did in the audience. It was a real honor and treat to get my limited vinyl signed as well. Very kind of you. You guys are the best!

[pixelbreaker]

Hey Gavin,

I mentioned earlier that I'll be at your Chicago show next Friday at the Riviera. This may seem a little off topic, but what time should i get there?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi jungle

i started to work on "Rhythmic Visions"
I picked this first pattern that you have showed, and move beat for one 8 note right, then 2 note, then 3 and then 4. And I did same to the left. Is this good way to start with this:)

Sure - that's a good way to start. Have seen the Rhythmic Illusions book?

Hi ChrisGau

I had the idea to suggest to the developer to offer the chance to use your particular click sounds in one of the next updates as an alternative soundset.
Is that something you would have a problem with?

That's fine with me.

Hi pixelbreaker

I mentioned earlier that I'll be at your Chicago show next Friday at the Riviera. This may seem a little off topic, but what time should i get there?

Support band "Big Elf" are on at 7:30 then PT are on stage 8:40

cheers
Gavin

[KevShephard]

Hi Gavin,

I just received my copy of "Rhythmic Designs" in the mail today. Very sweet!! I already watched it once through and it's made me want to go back and watch "Rhythmic Horizons" again.

As I stated in an earlier post, I will be catching Porcupine Tree in Quebec City on May 6. Is there an opening act for that gig? Also, my girlfriend's favourite tune is "Lazarus". If you just "happened" to throw that in the setlist, by chance, I would be infinitely grateful. ;)

Thanks again for all of your inspiration!!!

Kevin

[KevShephard]

Oooops....just found that "Big Elf" is with you during the Canadian dates as well.

K

[JeffV71]

Hi Gavin,

This question may have been asked before, not sure, but I'll ask it in a different way.

In post production I've been told that isolation is crucial to an overall clear and precise drum sound in the mix. Especially for toms. For example: using a noise gate for the toms, and/or cut out any non-played portions of the individually recorded tom tracks and leave in only the ones played. Basically trying to lessen the amount of overtones or ringing that could invade the drum mix.

So in your recording experience (and in post production) do you gate or cut out the unwanted (or unplayed) portions of your tom tracks? Or the kick for that matter (as you do use three mics)? If yes or no, then what are the pros and cons? I'm sure it does depend on the kind of music your playing, but how do you address this?

Thanks!

p.s.: See you & PT in Chicago on 4/30! I hope this leg of the tour is going well.

[Jeff_F]

Hey JeffV71

I'm not Gavin but I know he has answered a similar question here (though I cant seem to find the specific post). Mr. Harrison mentioned that he does NOT cut out dead space in the tom tracks. I don't know about his approach to noise gates. I want to say it was somewhere around page 90 if ya wanna dig a little more.

[hauk]

Also, my girlfriend's favourite tune is "Lazarus". If you just "happened" to throw that in the setlist, by chance, I would be infinitely grateful. ;)

You may get lucky; Lazarus seems to be one of Steve's favorites as well and was played in Dallas at the gig I saw. For anyone interested here's the full setlist:

The Incident
[intermission]
The Start Of Something Beautiful
Russia On Ice Phase I
Anesthetize Phase II
Lazarus
Way Out Of Here
Normal
Bonnie The Cat
[encore:]
The Sound Of Muzak
Trains

Thanks for the great show Gavin! It was my second PT show & I'll do everything I can to see you guys next time you come around as well.

[ProgJazzy(QC)]

Hi there Gavin,

Just passing by to say hi! and I can't wait for next week show in Quebec! Ive seen you in Montreal, last year during the Incident Tour, it was really great! I was just wondering, how is it to play in Quebec City? I mean, is it different from the rest of Canada or USA? I heard we have a reputation for being a good prog audience hahaha!! is this true?

[Chaos_Inferno]

You may get lucky; Lazarus seems to be one of Steve's favorites as well and was played in Dallas at the gig I saw. For anyone interested here's the full setlist:

The Incident
[intermission]
The Start Of Something Beautiful
Russia On Ice Phase I
Anesthetize Phase II
Lazarus
Way Out Of Here
Normal
Bonnie The Cat
[encore:]
The Sound Of Muzak
Trains

Thanks for the great show Gavin! It was my second PT show & I'll do everything I can to see you guys next time you come around as well.

I believe that was the setlist they played in Orlando at the House of Blues last Friday as well... I thought it was a great show, I honestly have never been more impressed by live drumming before in any capacity.

And now that I'm back home in good ol' New York I might be catching them again in Buffalo once May 4th rolls around... Will definitely be worth it, and I'll have to bring the lady friend along with me this time. (:

I think I may as well ask a question while I'm here that may not really be all that great because of how many ways you could go about answering it... but here it goes.

I suppose the question has probably already been asked too, maybe not in quite the same way, but when it comes to improvising songs live... I've noticed that although you mostly improvise/add a few fills here and there, never once did I feel the groove of the song even slightly falter... even during rather intense polyrhythmic parts or through odd time signatures. I'm just curious as to what your thought process is on performing these kinds of things and what might be "too much" in your mind, or how exactly your concepts of overriding make it into your fills as well.

My perception of drummers has changed considerably in this past year especially when it comes to being within the context of a band and feel... and your playing seems to epitomize that in a lot of ways. I wish I had the insight (and experience) to even gain a fraction of it... Thanks in advance.

[pixelbreaker]

Hey Gavin,

Do you guys still play Futile live? It's one of my favs, and I was just wondering if it was less popular?- too hard to get clean? (highly doubt it)....



Thanks
-Branndon

[watcher]

Hi Gavin!

So, just have seen your Rhythmic Horizons/Illusions.. absolutely wondered by "19 days", especially of marimba part

So got a Question for You:

how do you tune your rack toms, to get so clear tone? (in video where you talking about how to play 19days)
(if "that we hear" it is not only good sound processing line or mic)
do you use a tension watch or some like that?
What notes/tone do you set on batter and resonant side?
i'm trying to tune my toms in direct note, but i've found that is not so simple method.

Could you please explain how to get so clear and consistent sound of racktoms?

Lot of Thanks
Paul

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi JeffV71

So in your recording experience (and in post production) do you gate or cut out the unwanted (or unplayed) portions of your tom tracks? Or the kick for that matter (as you do use three mics)? If yes or no, then what are the pros and cons? I'm sure it does depend on the kind of music your playing, but how do you address this?

When I mix my drums I don't cut or gate anything. Some folks (who don't play drums) like to (especially the lower toms) - but I'm used to the sound of the toms ringing - that's what a drum kit sounds like!!

Hi ProgJazzy(QC)

I was just wondering, how is it to play in Quebec City? I mean, is it different from the rest of Canada or USA? I heard we have a reputation for being a good prog audience hahaha!! is this true?

It's not really any different. We had a great audience last time we played there.

Hi Chaos_Inferno

I suppose the question has probably already been asked too, maybe not in quite the same way, but when it comes to improvising songs live... I've noticed that although you mostly improvise/add a few fills here and there, never once did I feel the groove of the song even slightly falter... even during rather intense polyrhythmic parts or through odd time signatures. I'm just curious as to what your thought process is on performing these kinds of things and what might be "too much" in your mind, or how exactly your concepts of overriding make it into your fills as well.

To play fills and 'keep the groove' you really need to relax and pay attention to the timing. I try (if I can) to not think too much when I'm playing - it can get in the way and inhibit me. I guess a lot of the conceptual ideas like displacement, modulation, substitution and overriding just seep through when I let go and try to improvise.

Hi pixelbreaker

Do you guys still play Futile live? It's one of my favs, and I was just wondering if it was less popular?- too hard to get clean?

We haven't played it for quite a few years now - it's a hard tune to play - and needs to be rehearsed regularly.

Hi watcher

how do you tune your rack toms, to get so clear tone? (in video where you talking about how to play 19days)
(if "that we hear" it is not only good sound processing line or mic)
do you use a tension watch or some like that?

There's no special processing going on during that recording. Maybe a little bit of EQ and reverb. I don't use a tension watch - I tried it but it didn't give me results that I liked.

What notes/tone do you set on batter and resonant side?
i'm trying to tune my toms in direct note, but i've found that is not so simple method. Could you please explain how to get so clear and consistent sound of racktoms?

That's hard to say as I don't have specific notes that I tune to (if you look back through this thread you'll find a list of relative intervals for my 5 toms). I usually tune the resonant side a bit higher than the batter side. There's a lot of instinct going on from the many years of experience that I've had trying to get a good sound from my kit. There's a whole section on my most recent DVD Rhythmic Designs about how I tune my drums...you might want to check it out.

cheers
Gavin

[Adam8]

Great show in Atlanta last night! Did Steven ever find that earring, or did you make it dissappear?

[Liquid_Drummer]

Looking very forward to seeing you guys in Cinci on Saturday. Hope to make your acquaintance and thank you for helping me to become a better drummer. People that I play with have noticed as well as other local drummer friends that come to our shows. A couple of guys a show are asking me what was that thing you did during x and y etc. Point is that am not as constrained in getting what is in my head to come out on the drums and my stage fear is gone. I no longer have an issue with that which has really set me free.

Thanks for your hard work and sharing your ideas. The books and dvds have really gotten me out of long rut faster than I would have thought possible. Oddly enough, most of the growth has been in my brain and how I think about playing as opposed to being technique based.

Free your mind and your hands will follow I guess.

Thanks again.

[jungle]

Hi jungle

i started to work on "Rhythmic Visions"
I picked this first pattern that you have showed, and move beat for one 8 note right, then 2 note, then 3 and then 4. And I did same to the left. Is this good way to start with this:)

Sure - that's a good way to start. Have seen the Rhythmic Illusions book?

Well i want to stay with this displacements for some time.
1)Is it better to stay with 8 note displacements and work on different grooves, or is better to start with 16 notes displacements (I'm working on 8 notes displacements on pattern that you have showed for a week now) im starting to understand this-
2) can you give me some other groove for this displacement in 4\4 (i know the point is that i come with my own patterns, but this pattern that you showed is really god to understand how the notes travel ;)

[DrummerDavid]

Great show in Atlanta last night! Did Steven ever find that earring, or did you make it dissappear?

I concur with Adam8..great show Tuesday night. If I had known you were doing an in store that day...I would have called out sick. But I found out too late.

Speaking of Steven's earring...does this mean he lost his mojo...

[ChrisGau]

Well i want to stay with this displacements for some time.

Honestly... you should go and buy (http://www.amazon.com/Rhythmic-Illusions-Gavin-Harrison/dp/1576236870) Gavin's Rhythmic Illusions book. It really helps getting into all of this step by step. I am doing that on my own at the moment.

[pixelbreaker]

Hey Gavin,

Your show in Chicago tonight was with out a doubt the best concert that I've ever seen... the only thing- Bigelf could have turned it down a notch... but it's okay. I have one question. I saw that you were using a snare on your left side... what kind was it?


Thanks,

p.s.- loved your magic trick

[Liquid_Drummer]

Great show in Cinci Gavin. Always great to see you guys and great to watch you own that SQ2 ! I could really hear that snare drum coming off the stage and get a good idea of what it sounds like raw at times. Very powerful and yet it can be so delicate. I want one !

The magic trick was priceless dude. You had us in stitches. So unexpected. Not to give away how you did it but I will say I have one of those too. Funny as hell man. At 1st we thought you were holding up a pair of panties to go along with the bra that Steve was playing with earlier !! Man what a night !

[Overg]

hi Gavin! :)

it's good to see you are still here answering people questions, you have no idea how helpful and inspiring it is!

Rumor is that you are going to come with Pt to Israel to some show, while I am (and many others.. are very excited about it

How about a drum clinic as well ? :)

Another Question, that I was wondering ...

Do you still practice rudiments on a pad? if so what rudiments ?

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi jungle

1)Is it better to stay with 8 note displacements and work on different grooves, or is better to start with 16 notes displacements (I'm working on 8 notes displacements on pattern that you have showed for a week now) im starting to understand this-

of course 16th/24th/32nd note displacements are harder than 8ths. Wait until you feel comfortable with 8ths first.

2) can you give me some other groove for this displacement in 4\4 (i know the point is that i come with my own patterns, but this pattern that you showed is really god to understand how the notes travel ;)

ANY pattern in 4/4 is good for displacement. In fact - ANY pattern in ANY time signature is good for displacement. It depends if you really want to create a Rhythmic Illusion or not. If you do - then stay with really simple patterns in 4/4 that have a 2&4 snare back beat.

Hi pixelbreaker

I have one question. I saw that you were using a snare on your left side... what kind was it?

12x5 same spec as the rest of the kit.

Hi Overg

I was wondering ...
Do you still practice rudiments on a pad? if so what rudiments ?

Yes just for warming up - just combinations of single and double stroke rolls and paradiddles.

cheers
Gavin

[Pavlos]

Hi Gavin,
No response necessary here, just wanted to say thanks for puttin on a great show here in Detroit tonight. Sorry it was so dang humid in the Fillmore, but you guys still rocked the house. Can't wait to see you again in the D.
Pav

[Overg]

Thanks for the answer :)
but what about the drum clinic ? :)

[Gavin Harrison]

No plans for a clinic.

cheers
Gavin

[sleepwalker]

Hello Mr. Harrison,

If you weren't using Sonor and Zildjian, what drums and cymbals would you use?
And what do you think of these different cymbals:

http://efektpercussion.com/urunler.php

[GhostxNote]

I have recently gotten into his drumming with Porcupine Tree, and discovered that this guy has major chops, skills and groove. What do people know about him, his equipment, and technique. Any and all information is a good thing.

Read the 110 pages of awesome.

[Pass.of.E.r.a.]

Hello Gavin!

I was wondering what microphones you used on your toms, seeing as your toms have always sounded phenomenal to me. Sorry if this was asked recently.

Anywho hope that you're having a good time on tour and thanks for always inspiring me to be a better drummer! You're the man!!!

-Jonathan

[gibeachhead]

Hey Gavin,

Any update on the possible Zildjian chime/splash cymbals?

Thanks as usual!

[LukeSnyder]

Hello Gavin! Ever since the first time I saw a video of you playing, I've been amazed by your musicality and innovation. To me, you are a perfect drummer. I was just wondering what the inspiration behind your creativity is. Do you listen to a lot of music for new ideas? Or do you more often take old concepts and break them down, crafting something different out of the pieces?

Forgive me if the answer to my question is already present, but I didn't see anything similar when I looked. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all these questions! Its amazing to see a drummer so dedicated to the craft and community.

[KevShephard]

FANTASTIC show at Le Capitole in Quebec City, Gavin!! What a great venue! (My girlfriend and I stayed in the hotel right in the same building - VERY convenient.) You guys sounded incredible....even from the front row. It was great to be close enough to actually hear the sound of your drums bleeding from the stage (we were against the gate right directly in front of you and Colin). "Anesthetize" was without a doubt the best thing I've ever seen and heard live. We saw you in Montreal last year, and this show Thursday night was even better!! We drove 8 hours there and 8 hours home to see the show, and it was worth every single kilometre.

I noticed recently that you have switched your 15 inch K crash for an A Custom. What was your reason for that? The reason I ask is because I just did (almost) the exact opposite. I have been using A Customs for about 15 years now, but I just cracked my 16 inch A Custom, and replaced it with a 15 inch K (my first K, which I love).

Thanks for an amazing show Thursday night!!! I can't wait until the next time.

PS - And thanks to you and the other guys for playing "Lazarus". I actually bumped into John Wesley on the street in Old Quebec and asked him if he knew if you guys would be doing it. He said he usually doesn't know what you are playing until you get on stage and see the set list!! Sounds like my band. But.....I know it HAD to have been my requesting it from you and then from him that MUST have put it in the set list. Hehe.

Enjoy the rest of the tour!!!

Kevin

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Pass.of.E.r.a.

I was wondering what microphones you used on your toms, seeing as your toms have always sounded phenomenal to me. Sorry if this was asked recently.

At home in my studio I use Sennheiser MD421 - on the live shows of PT we use Electrovoice N/D 468

Hi gibeachhead

Any update on the possible Zildjian chime/splash cymbals?

sorry no news at the moment.

Hi LukeSnyder

I was just wondering what the inspiration behind your creativity is. Do you listen to a lot of music for new ideas? Or do you more often take old concepts and break them down, crafting something different out of the pieces?

Hmm - that's a big question. It seems to come in quite random ways. Sometimes it's because I've heard something that tickles my mind - other times it might be from watching a film - or seeing an interesting design. Sometimes it might start out as a variation of something I've already played.

Hi KevShephard

I noticed recently that you have switched your 15 inch K crash for an A Custom. What was your reason for that? The reason I ask is because I just did (almost) the exact opposite. I have been using A Customs for about 15 years now, but I just cracked my 16 inch A Custom, and replaced it with a 15 inch K (my first K, which I love).

I switched to the slightly heavier A Customs because I didn't think the K had quite the same volume and projection in a live situation. I love the sound of the K's in the studio though.

cheers
Gavin

[Fox622003]

Hey Gavin, I was going to be around New York on October, but now I see you guys are playing there September 24th, I might reschedule, specially if you're planning a clinic or store appearance. So, do you have anything like that planned?
Hope everything's going well.


Fox.

[ProgJazzy(QC)]

Just passing by to say thank you for the great show in Quebec City (Capitole),

It was FANTASTIC! haha!!, the sound was perfect, the was lots of energy in the crowd, i was in the front row in front just in front of Steven, newspapers acclaimed your venue here!!!, we hope to see you again, too bad i missed Montreal show (especially for Hatesong) :P

I noticed that for sometimes now, you have that chinese to your left and you play open handed while using it, did you start playing like this after the Modern Drummer Festival? From Simon Phillips? Or you started it on your own?

Is Salvaging , from the Insurgentes album is an example of open handed playing? (at the beginning of the song)

[gibeachhead]

Looking forward to the gig in Richmond! We'd love to see a similar set to the last few shows....mainly 'Hatesong' and 'Blackest Eyes'.

Thanks Gavin!

[AAP]

Hello,i have ticket to Ruisrock (Finland 10.7.2010)
And question is: I have made that kind of cymbal which you have over you hi-hat. tiny 6" splash/bell cymbal from Zildjian 18" Swish china... And I would love to get signature from you on it.
Do you think if it's somehow possible?

[euphoric_anomaly]

There's a fill you do in "Beyond the A" at exactly 2:05 and 2:24 that got me thinking --- Would that fill be a good example of the "left flam triplet" technique you describe in Rythymic Designs? In the fill your using a tom, snare, and a china.

I would post audio samples of what I'm talking about, but I know your free time is very limited.

Thanks

Eric

[Swiss Matthias]

Hi Gavin

I got a question concerning your new transcription book: When you play a pattern in 9/8 like in the beginning of circles, and you make it fit a cycle of four 4/4 bars (as you say in the dvd), do you feel it as 4/4 as well while playing?
I personally find figures that are longer than a 4/4 bar to be quite harder to play against it than figures that go up to 7/8 or so.

Thanks & keep up the great and inspiring work!
Matthias

[henri]

Gavin,
you're just like a cat.
always fall back on your feet.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Fox622003

I was going to be around New York on October, but now I see you guys are playing there September 24th, I might reschedule, specially if you're planning a clinic or store appearance. So, do you have anything like that planned?

No plans for a clinic or store appearance around that show.

Hi ProgJazzy(QC)

I noticed that for sometimes now, you have that chinese to your left and you play open handed while using it, did you start playing like this after the Modern Drummer Festival? From Simon Phillips? Or you started it on your own?

I've been toying with left hand lead since I was having lessons in the 70's. Simon has been an influence on me - and having the china way back there on the left it's really nice to ride on it with the left hand. My tech Jason never loves it as he sits very close to it - and it's really loud.

Hi AAP

I have made that kind of cymbal which you have over you hi-hat. tiny 6" splash/bell cymbal from Zildjian 18" Swish china... And I would love to get signature from you on it.
Do you think if it's somehow possible?

You can try - but it's almost impossible to arrange to meet people at a festival.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

There's a fill you do in "Beyond the A" at exactly 2:05 and 2:24 that got me thinking --- Would that fill be a good example of the "left flam triplet" technique you describe in Rythymic Designs? In the fill your using a tom, snare, and a china.

Yes exactly. It's a flam between a tom and snare followed by a china and then a bass drum.

Hi Swiss Matthias

I got a question concerning your new transcription book: When you play a pattern in 9/8 like in the beginning of circles, and you make it fit a cycle of four 4/4 bars (as you say in the dvd), do you feel it as 4/4 as well while playing?

Are you sure I say it fits four bars of 4/4? Because it doesn't. It's two bars of 9/8 and one bar of 5/8 which is a 23/8 cycle...and in that case I certainly don't feel it in 4/4

I personally find figures that are longer than a 4/4 bar to be quite harder to play against it than figures that go up to 7/8 or so.

So do I - so I break it down into groups of 2 and 3. A group of nine could be thought of as 2+2+2+3 or 3+3+3

cheers
Gavin

[Swiss Matthias]

Hi Gavin

of course I didn't mean Circles, but Unsettled - your tom groove opener. As euphoric_anomaly kindly pointed out to me, I somehow managed to mix up titles...

So you don't hear your 9/8 tom motive as a whole thing but break it down into smaller pieces? I must try that then, because I like to stay in 4/4 mentally (as long as it is 4/4). I suppose you split it into three parts of 3? I think I'd get lost with keeping track of the one "3" part in 2+2+2+3 and not losing the "1" at the same time.

[sdertsr6]

COOL...thanks for posting..

[GhostxNote]

Hello Gavin,

I'm not sure if this has been touched yet but...

how long ago did you start learning how to use traditional grip? Do you still practice with that grip as often as you do with match grip? I've seen you use it a couple of times in your DVD's.

[Terry Branam]

Hey everybody,


Here's a little transcription request that I'm posting for Kalma:

This is from the MD Festival performance of The Sound of Muzak. It's the fill leading into the first chorus. Great stuff!

Enjoy,


Terry

[caleb708]

Hey Gavin!
Just two small questions.. I have watched a few videos of you (on youtube) and have some questions after watching them.

Q1. What is that white colored snare drum that u use in the video of Sound of Muzak (on youtube)?? what heads does it have on?? and how do u tune it EQ, effects etc? (absolutely in love with that fat, non ringy snare sound of yours)

Q2. In one of the other videos @ PASIC 2008 (video titled "double bass patterns in odd meter feels) you talk about how your live sound engineer uses a gate on the mic placed inside ur kick for that sharp attack which sounds really BIG in auditoriums.. Could you please elaborate on that?? As in, could you please explain what kind of sound you aim for from each of the 2 kick drum mics individually?? how do u gate/ compress each of them?? and how you like to tune and EQ them??

p.s well ok those weren't really small questions! :P but would be really grateful if you could answer them for me!!
Thanks a ton!!
Loads of Respect & Love!
Caleb

[Kalma]

Hi Gavin,

can you tell me, what you think?

A friend of mine and me talked about "custom bells" and he said that the Quality of the Cymbal that is used to cut down is not important.
So he said you could use a Paiste 302 Crash and it would sound like if you would cut down an Zildjian A-Custom or so.

I didn't believe that this is true.
I think for a Bell the quality of the Cymbal itself, the thickness and the bell-diameter make the most important characteristics.

What do you think?


Thanks
David

[the-gablushe]

Hey Gavin...

What's your opinion on weighted sticks (like e.g. lathed aluminium) for practicing purposes. Currently I'm having a hard time surpassing a certain amount of speed and I figure it's primarily a matter of finger and wrist strenght especially on the left hand as I play trad grip. I can go fast on the xpad. You know what I mean? At higher speeds on a real drum my left hand starts to lag...

Todd shared my concern that weighted sticks might mess with my touch and stated that they could even slow me down in the end, when I come back to the real sticks.

Have you had any experience with those things, Gavin?

Thanks for your input!

Cheers, from Bavaria,

Andreas

[Ben777]

Hi Gavin !
I am new to this forum and I think that it's amazing that we have the opportunity to talk to a person and pro drummer like you! I saw you in Quebec City last week, and the show was just wonderful. Porcupine Tree is definitely my favorite band and your drumming is so awesome and inspiring.

My question for you (I don't know if it was asked previously, sorry if it's the case) goes like this:

I was wondering if there was a possibility to have some Porcupine Tree Play along tracks (without drums). I am ready to pay the price for this. I would really enjoy to play the drums on your tracks, plus it would be helpful for me because I study the music at college and if I had some play along tracks, I could use one of them to perform one of my exams!! I didn't really found any interesting rock tracks to play along with and at school it's mainly jazz or latin tracks. I mean, I love jazz and latin but the possibility to play some prog would be really nice too. This would be for personal use only, I am not wishing to give the tracks to anyone in the future.

I know this is a big request, and I would understand if the answer is no. But I still wanted to try =P

Thank you very much!

BEN

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Swiss Matthias

of course I didn't mean Circles, but Unsettled - your tom groove opener.
So you don't hear your 9/8 tom motive as a whole thing but break it down into smaller pieces? I must try that then, because I like to stay in 4/4 mentally (as long as it is 4/4).

In the case of that intro - I do think of it in 4/4

Hi GhostxNote

how long ago did you start learning how to use traditional grip? Do you still practice with that grip as often as you do with match grip? I've seen you use it a couple of times in your DVD's.

I very rarely switch to trad grip. I guess I would have started with it when I was very young - but when I was around 11 years old my teacher switch me to matched grip. I don't really practise it to be honest.

Hi caleb708

Q1. What is that white colored snare drum that u use in the video of Sound of Muzak (on youtube)?? what heads does it have on?? and how do u tune it EQ, effects etc? (absolutely in love with that fat, non ringy snare sound of yours)

It's a late 90's Sonor Designer 12x5 with a Remo C.S on the top. I would say it has a medium to tight tuning.

Q2. In one of the other videos @ PASIC 2008 (video titled "double bass patterns in odd meter feels) you talk about how your live sound engineer uses a gate on the mic placed inside ur kick for that sharp attack which sounds really BIG in auditoriums.. Could you please elaborate on that?? As in, could you please explain what kind of sound you aim for from each of the 2 kick drum mics individually?? how do u gate/ compress each of them?? and how you like to tune and EQ them??

The Shure SM91 gives me the clicky attack and the Audix i5 gives me a much fatter round sound. When I use them in my studio I don't gate or compress them at all. PT's live engineer gates the SM91 (but I don't know exactly by how much). As I said in the video - the bass drum is pretty dead sounding.

Hi Kalma

A friend of mine and me talked about "custom bells" and he said that the Quality of the Cymbal that is used to cut down is not important.
So he said you could use a Paiste 302 Crash and it would sound like if you would cut down an Zildjian A-Custom or so. What do you think?

I don't actually know because I've never cut down a 'lower grade' cymbal. I would imagine that it wouldn't sound as good as a 'higher grade' cymbal.

Hi the-gablushe

What's your opinion on weighted sticks (like e.g. lathed aluminium) for practicing purposes. Currently I'm having a hard time surpassing a certain amount of speed and I figure it's primarily a matter of finger and wrist strenght especially on the left hand as I play trad grip.

A long time ago I did try some metal practise sticks - but they hurt my wrists - so I gave up with them pretty quickly. I would suggest practising on pillows instead.

Hi Ben777

I was wondering if there was a possibility to have some Porcupine Tree Play along tracks (without drums).

Not possible - sorry. I believe there is a playalong to "The Sound Of Muzak" (without vocals) floating around somewhere - made by a German drum magazine called Drumheads

cheers
Gavin

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

There is something you do in Futile which I cannot grasp or understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTUl-AMoJpU

It sounds like you're either stopping the beat for an 1/8th rest on the ride cymbal or catching up to the tempo.
Very hard to explain but it happens at exactly 2:06 in the video. Could you embellish at all on this technique or trick you used?

Thanks so much
Eric

[Fox622003]

Very hard to explain but it happens at exactly 2:06 in the video. Could you embellish at all on this technique or trick you used?


Well, to my understanding, if the notes that he's playing on the ride are considered 8th notes (although there's something odd about this tune, so it might be some sort of override, but still, IF they are considered eight notes), here's where that note goes. Also, I'm not sure if it's supposed to be with 32nds, or more of a triplet feel, but it's essentially the same. And Gavin is also playing some ghost notes on the first part of the transcription, it would had taken too long to get all of them, and I felt it was unnecessary in this case.
I also included a pseudo-MIDI file of the transcription being played so you can see it more or less sounds like it. I'm completelly unsure on the second bar there, though, that part really confused me (and I hope Gavin can enlighten us there), but as for what you were asking, it's a lot more simple, and should be something like that.
The attachment is the part that starts at exactly 2:04 on the video link you sent, and the fourth beat of that first bar is what I think you didn't catch.


Fox.33880

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi euphoric_anomaly

There is something you do in Futile which I cannot grasp or understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTUl-AMoJpU


OK let me stop you there. First of all this is a very deceptive piece and I hope you realise that the whole section is a rhythmic illusion right? It sounds like it's triplet based but it's not. Check out this video and in particular the riff section that starts at 29 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2kFrD1eWI
and here's a simple version of that illusion
33886

Very hard to explain but it happens at exactly 2:06 in the video. Could you embellish at all on this technique or trick you used?

so the fill that you're talking about on the other vid is just 4 in a bar snare drum with bass drum hits on the off 16ths ("e" + "a"). Simple !!

Sorry Fox622003 - I couldn't understand your transcription there.

cheers
Gavin

[adityasonakia]

Dear Mr. Harrison,

I know you have heard this many times, but i would also like to say it that i'm a big fan of your Drumming.

I'm also a drummer, but my 1st question to you is not related to drumming. Its more of a question on music and sound. So hear it is.....

Is it right to say that every feeling can be described with a set of musical scales and riffs? I ask this because of your experience in working with Mr. Steven Wilson, who as far as I know likes playing psychedelic and space rock music.

Cheers,
Aditya

[Fox622003]

Hi euphoric_anomaly
[I]
Sorry Fox622003 - I couldn't understand your transcription there.

cheers
Gavin

That's what I thought, I knew it was some kind of illusion on that part, what I wrote down can only be alright if what you were playing on the bell were eighth notes, but it was a sort of weird override apparently. So what I actually wrote as something really weird (the snare and two off 16th bass drums - which obviusly SOUND like that (but I thought weren't that)-), were normal, and it was the rest that was displaced :P .
Where do you get the guts to play this live from man? It's a rhythmic monster. I would be very, very reluctant to play it live, even if I had practised it very well!
And also, in your transcription there seem to be other notes aside from the accents, but I can't see you playing those (at least on the ride, are they the fills?) on that part you mentioned at 0:29. I can only hear and see the accents on the bell.


Fox.

[Tuhan]

Hi Gavin,

A friend told me you have incorporated (parts of) gamelan in your drumkit. Is this correct? If so, could you point me in the direction of some songs you have used this on?

also. just to get a pipe dream out there. Along with Omar Rodriguez-Lopez' and Alessandro Cortini's music styles, I put your music style in the "weird-but-awesome" category. I'd love to have the three of you working together, although it's likely this will never happen. :P

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

Just a small question concerning the upcoming gig at the Pistoia Bluesfestival. I was wondering how long you guys would play. An hour? (as it's a festival) or longer? Thanks :)

Cheers!
Santi

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi adityasonakia

Is it right to say that every feeling can be described with a set of musical scales and riffs?

I don't know about every feeling. Certainly we have been conditioned through watching films that certain feeling are usually 'summed up' with certain sounds and chord progressions. You only need to watch Tom & Jerry cartoons to see how far they got with musically articulating certain moods and feelings.

Hi Fox622003

Where do you get the guts to play this live from man? It's a rhythmic monster. I would be very, very reluctant to play it live, even if I had practised it very well!

Futile is actually easier than you might think. I've certainly attempted much harder pieces in a live setting. "Unsettled" and "Centered" from my first album with 05Ric present much more challenging moments. In fact I played all three on the MD Festival DVD.

And also, in your transcription there seem to be other notes aside from the accents, but I can't see you playing those (at least on the ride, are they the fills?) on that part you mentioned at 0:29. I can only hear and see the accents on the bell.

This wasn't meant to be a transcription as such but just a guide to show where the accents are. Sometimes the accent is a bass drum - other times it's a snare drum. I just wanted to show the "illusion" of that riff section. A lot of folks think that it's triplets in a slower tempo.

Hi Tuhan

A friend told me you have incorporated (parts of) gamelan in your drumkit. Is this correct? If so, could you point me in the direction of some songs you have used this on?

I've never incorporated Gamelan in my drumset. He probably was referring to this video of "19 Days" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMGGE2AdGZY where Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin play Balinese barangan, which is a type of gamelan metallophone.

Hi SantiBanks

Just a small question concerning the upcoming gig at the Pistoia Bluesfestival. I was wondering how long you guys would play. An hour? (as it's a festival) or longer?

I think we'll play longer than an hour as (far as I've understood it) it's just Anathema and PT playing that night.

cheers
Gavin

[Fox622003]

Hi Fox622003

Where do you get the guts to play this live from man? It's a rhythmic monster. I would be very, very reluctant to play it live, even if I had practised it very well!

Futile is actually easier than you might think. I've certainly attempted much harder pieces in a live setting. "Unsettled" and "Centered" from my first album with 05Ric present much more challenging moments. In fact I played all three on the MD Festival DVD.


I know, that was crazy to play all the toughest songs there, like Anesthetize with the double pedal section as well. Yeah, those you mentioned definitely have more difficult elements, but there are some really displaced fills in Futile that got me distracted that day, guess I was just overwhelmed :P.
Thanks for the replies Gavin, I'll try to make it for the NYC show.


Fox.

[PTEmil]

Hi Gavin

In a video I found of you on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAP4fxPSu0&NR=1) there are some thing I find particulary impressive. Not gonna bother you with them all though, just have to ask you... At, more or less, exactly 1:54 you show some astonishing moves on the hi-hat, what are you doing there? Is it double strokes or something else?

On a sidenote, will it be possible to meet you at the RAH gig to get a drumstick signed? Would be really cool!

Best regards
/Emil

[Drummin_Dan]

OK let me stop you there. First of all this is a very deceptive piece and I hope you realise that the whole section is a rhythmic illusion right? It sounds like it's triplet based but it's not. Check out this video and in particular the riff section that starts at 29 seconds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2kFrD1eWI
and here's a simple version of that illusion
33886

Augh! My downbeat is different. I wrote out a lead sheet to this song and I started from the beginning of the illusion with the eighth/sixteenth pattern on the end. I also wrote my interpretation of what happens at 0:18 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2kFrD1eWI. I was writing out the rhythm for the guitar player to follow. it's pretty cut up but it made sense to me because it followed what the ride pattern was doing. I'm sure it's write but I'm curious if there's an easier way to write it out. Rather, it looks right to me.

[zfzgg]

Hi Gavin; I've recently been going through some of your work with my teacher. It's certainly giving me a flogging! I've got a quick question if you don't mind:

Is it possible to get a hold of some of the backing tracks you've used for PASIC, Drummerlive, MD fest etc? Specifically, I'd love to get my hands on drumless versions of Slippin' Away or the Sound of Muzak. I'm not entirely familiar yet with your written work; so if I could buy them with a book or similar that'd be fantastic. If they're not available for purchase, I promise I'll buy all your books if you put some tracks on the net for free, haha.

Sorry if it's already been asked, I've been through the first 70 odd pages of this thread but can't remember seeing it.

[Davo-London]

Hi Gavin

I have worked slavishly, when taking lessons, through your Rhythmic Illusions book and my tutor, Gary O'Toole, often sang your praises. However, I only recently watched some of your vids on Youtube. Wow, they were very impressive and I just loved your feel and dynamic. What's so odd is that I can't stand drum solos per se, but I could watch you and Jojo Mayer all day long and never get bored.

Cheers Gavin
Davo

[SantiBanks]

Futile is actually easier than you might think. I've certainly attempted much harder pieces in a live setting. "Unsettled" and "Centered" from my first album with 05Ric present much more challenging moments. In fact I played all three on the MD Festival DVD.

I'm working on Centered. Really dig the groove (played it for our wonderful drummer, he liked the groove a lot too) and I don't find it too hard to understand and play. The only tricky part is the speeding up section from the slower tempo (with the illegal triplet) to the original tempo (though the bassparts really help).
Futile however is still something I cannot grasp. At least not the stuff you do at the end (I always get lost). I find it therefore interesting to see that find Centered a much harder piece to play then Futile (though I can imagine that playing that stuff with a real band brings a level of complexity as opposed to playing along a clicktrack and backing track).



Hi SantiBanks
I think we'll play longer than an hour as (far as I've understood it) it's just Anathema and PT playing that night.

cheers
Gavin
Oh just PT and Anathema? Great! Thought there where three bands playing. I'm planning a trip to Italy (as I need to get out for a bit) and I love Tuscany so I'm seeing if I can combine the concert and catch you guys there (as I need my annual dose of PT and you guys are not sheduled for the Netherlands this year :( )

[Florian]

Good Day, Gavin...

I have some questions regarding your pre-performance rituals.... When I play I try to eat a meal 2-3 hours pre-show so that it can settle and Im at peak energy..what is your schedule like? Also, how early does your tech/crew arrive and how long does it take to set up/tune your rig?
Love all your work, Gavin, youre a true inspiration to my playing....

Cheers!

Best,
F

[euphoric_anomaly]

Hi Gavin; I've recently been going through some of your work with my teacher. It's certainly giving me a flogging! I've got a quick question if you don't mind:

Is it possible to get a hold of some of the backing tracks you've used for PASIC, Drummerlive, MD fest etc? Specifically, I'd love to get my hands on drumless versions of Slippin' Away or the Sound of Muzak. I'm not entirely familiar yet with your written work; so if I could buy them with a book or similar that'd be fantastic. If they're not available for purchase, I promise I'll buy all your books if you put some tracks on the net for free, haha.

Sorry if it's already been asked, I've been through the first 70 odd pages of this thread but can't remember seeing it.


It should have been somewhere in those 70 pages... I've read on here that he does not 'give away' backing tracks. Especially ones he had to pay someone to write... Just enjoy them as is, it's about as close to getting them as you're going to get. Just thought I'd let ya know.

[zfzgg]

It should have been somewhere in those 70 pages... I've read on here that he does not 'give away' backing tracks. Especially ones he had to pay someone to write... Just enjoy them as is, it's about as close to getting them as you're going to get. Just thought I'd let ya know.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I assume that means it's not possible to buy them anywhere either?

[ChrisGau]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I assume that means it's not possible to buy them anywhere either?

As already mentioned by Gavin, "Sound of Muzak" is available as Drum-Playalong (excl. vocals) produced by the German drum magazine "Drumheads!!". As the original issue is sold out, a reasonable alternative is to buy one of their special issues called "Best of Drumheads!! Vol. 1" (http://www.thomann.de/de/ppv_medien_best_of_drums_vol1.htm) in which it is contained (the other songs are American Idiot, Rosanna, Duality, Stratus, Hand Of Blood, Hand In Hand, Self Esteem). In fact, that´s what I did a while ago. It also includes full transcriptions and some come comments on concepts and approaches. Of course... it´s all German ;-) .

Yes... it´s a lot of money for one track if you don´t like the other ones but it´s good quality and I definitely enjoy it quite a lot - unfortunately it´s the only PT playalong that I own :-( . However, as Gavin does not own the rights, it´s not possible for him to issue some more which I can perfectly understand.

[WuGGu]

Hi Gavin,

I have since 6 or 7 weeks problems with my fibres. I hope fibres is right, because i only know the word from leo.org ;). Did you ever have problems with your arms or muscles? I warm myself always up. But the problem is, i don't know how I can begin again, because if i play to fast or to much, the pain will come back. Is there a way to avoid that my arms hurts again?

Thank you,

Martin

[bhaskar]

hi Gavin

Can you kindly tell us when PT will be coming back to India?
Can you have any drum clinics here in India??.....people love u here.... :-)

bye

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi PTEmil

In a video I found of you on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvAP4fxPSu0&NR=1) there are some thing I find particulary impressive. Not gonna bother you with them all though, just have to ask you... At, more or less, exactly 1:54 you show some astonishing moves on the hi-hat, what are you doing there? Is it double strokes or something else?

The hi hat is getting pedaled every third 16th and in between that the right hand plays two 32nds on the hi hat and the left hand plays two 32nds on the snare drum.

On a sidenote, will it be possible to meet you at the RAH gig to get a drumstick signed?

Sorry but I can't promise to meet anyone at a concert.

Hi Drummin_Dan

I also wrote my interpretation of what happens at 0:18 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2kFrD1eWI. I was writing out the rhythm for the guitar player to follow. it's pretty cut up but it made sense to me because it followed what the ride pattern was doing. I'm sure it's write but I'm curious if there's an easier way to write it out. Rather, it looks right to me.

Nice job but I would say that you've made bars 11-22 harder than they need be. It fits into 4/4. 22-37 you've heard it in from an illusion point of view - but that's fine - it makes sense. The second bar of the B section is 3/4 (and that's the same in every four bar cycle of the B section).

Hi zfzgg

Is it possible to get a hold of some of the backing tracks you've used for PASIC, Drummerlive, MD fest etc? Specifically, I'd love to get my hands on drumless versions of Slippin' Away or the Sound of Muzak. I'm not entirely familiar yet with your written work; so if I could buy them with a book or similar that'd be fantastic.

If you buy my most recent book with Terry Branam "Rhythmic Designs" there are some playalongs in that package that I played at Drummerlive and MD Fest. All the other playalongs are not available - sorry.

Hi Santibanks

Oh just PT and Anathema? Great! Thought there where three bands playing.

I understood there was only two...but it's possible that there's another support as well - I don't know for sure.

Hi Florian

I have some questions regarding your pre-performance rituals.... When I play I try to eat a meal 2-3 hours pre-show so that it can settle and Im at peak energy..what is your schedule like? Also, how early does your tech/crew arrive and how long does it take to set up/tune your rig?

Yes I normally do the same thing with the pre show eating. The crew typically get into the venue around 11am. The drums are usually set up by about 2pm. I think it only takes about 20 minutes to set up my set.

Hi WuGGu

I have since 6 or 7 weeks problems with my fibres. I hope fibres is right, because i only know the word from leo.org ;). Did you ever have problems with your arms or muscles? I warm myself always up. But the problem is, i don't know how I can begin again, because if i play to fast or to much, the pain will come back. Is there a way to avoid that my arms hurts again?

Hmm sounds serious - I hope you've had professional medical advice. I haven't had what you describe (luckily for me).

By the way if anyone wants to join me over at facebook here it is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gavin-Harrison/96557593864

cheers
Gavin

[Deathtoll]

Gavin, you've been with porcupine tree now (including the studio fill in for In Absentia) for coming up to 9 years here soon.

All the years with Porcupine Tree, has the psychedelic touch that has always remained with the band influenced your drumming?

Also, has Stevens thoughts on life mannerisms such as the topics on "Fear of a Blank Planet" and much more, rub off onto you in your day to day thinking?

Cheers!

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi bhaskar

Can you kindly tell us when PT will be coming back to India?
Can you have any drum clinics here in India??.....people love u here.... :-)

We have no plans to come back anytime soon. We had a great time there.

Hi Deathtoll

All the years with Porcupine Tree, has the psychedelic touch that has always remained with the band influenced your drumming?

No I don't think so.

Also, has Stevens thoughts on life mannerisms such as the topics on "Fear of a Blank Planet" and much more, rub off onto you in your day to day thinking?

I was already thinking about those topics years before the album.

cheers
Gavin

[Florian]

Gavin,

I will be in Manchester and then Scotland for a weeks vacation in July....any recommendations on things that need to been seen/visited?

Florian

[Kalma]

Hey Gavin,

do you think an 18" A-Custom Crash can be used to cut it down to a Chime?

You used cymbals between 15"-17" right?



Thanks
Kalma

[Fox622003]

Hey Gavin, there's something that intrigues me.
I Iike Porcupine Tree's music, but I generally dislike depressive stuff, and there doesn't seem to be more than 1 or 2 PT songs that aren't totally depressive or even fatalistic in their lyrics. Now, I'm not complaining on this, Steven can write whatever he feels like writing. But I don't think any of you guys in the band are this kind of person, even Steven seems quite cheerful in interviews and so. So how do you feel about drumming to this kind of mood in the songs? Is it about the music for you? Because for everything I've seen you post you don't strike me as a person who'd really identify himself with a set list where half the songs speak about consuming pills. I don't mean any disrespect, I actually like some of the lyrics, it's just that having 80%+ of them being like that...I don't think any band's music should be all about one particular type of feeling. I hope this doesn't make you feel like answering "If you don't like it, don't listen to it.", as I said, I like the music, and the drumming obviously, and respect Steven's artistic choices, but it'd be nice to hear your input on the subject (I mean, Colin is smiling from side to side while Steven is really focused on the negative implications of the song, and also shows it in his face, so it's kind of confusing :P).
Alright, I hope you understand what I'm trying to ask here. Thanks.


Fox.

[Gus]

Hi Gavin

Just got my copy of Anesthetize and only can say: GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!.
Beautifully shooted, and a great insight into the performances of everyone of you guys. Also love the ambient on the stage with the dark colours and shadows, perfect for your music.

Greetings and thanks for your time!!

Gustavo

[ProgFron]

Hi Gavin,

Congrats on the new DVD! It's really good.
I was there both nights, so it's great to see it again.
I just love your playing at the ending of Dark Matter.
I'll see you at the Sonor factory this weekend.
Will you discuss the same things at both your masterclasses, or will you mix things up?
Anyways, can't wait.

Cheers,

Francis

[henri]

Happy BassDrum, Mr Harrison !
http://membres.multimania.fr/henrifalisse/stickers/hbd.jpg
for 28th, of course :)

[Swiss Matthias]

Because for everything I've seen you post you don't strike me as a person who'd really identify himself with a set list where half the songs speak about consuming pills.

I find it interesting to go in this direction a bit, although it quickly could become too personal.
Concerning the sentence I've quoted I believe Porcupine Tree explicitly is against taking drugs, aren't they?

[Fox622003]

I find it interesting to go in this direction a bit, although it quickly could become too personal.
Concerning the sentence I've quoted I believe Porcupine Tree explicitly is against taking drugs, aren't they?

Yes, very possibly. But many of their lyrics are about very depressed people who are actually using drugs. It obviously speaks negatively about them, I never put that in question.
And I agree, that's why I repeated in my post that I meant no disrespect, or to get into a territory I shouldn't.


EDIT: So wait, then the part of Futile we were discussing is just groups of three on the ride bell?


Fox.

[CareyCopelandCameron]

See you on Sunday,Gavin :-)

[jojojojojo]

Hi Gavin hi folks,
i just recently saw the discussion going on about the playalongs of any of your or PT´s songs,and there are two i know of:

As someone else said :
The Sound of Muzak in the third issue of DRUMHEADS 2005

and

Shallow in the sixth issue of DRUMHEADS 2009

and of course ,as already mentioned the songs with 05ric.
Most of the old issues are sold-out right now.


Looking forward to seeing you in Germany the weekend.

It´s going to be awesome


Greets Jo

[Deathtoll]

Hey Gavin, there's something that intrigues me.
I Iike Porcupine Tree's music, but I generally dislike depressive stuff, and there doesn't seem to be more than 1 or 2 PT songs that aren't totally depressive or even fatalistic in their lyrics. Now, I'm not complaining on this, Steven can write whatever he feels like writing. But I don't think any of you guys in the band are this kind of person, even Steven seems quite cheerful in interviews and so. So how do you feel about drumming to this kind of mood in the songs? Is it about the music for you? Because for everything I've seen you post you don't strike me as a person who'd really identify himself with a set list where half the songs speak about consuming pills. I don't mean any disrespect, I actually like some of the lyrics, it's just that having 80%+ of them being like that...I don't think any band's music should be all about one particular type of feeling. I hope this doesn't make you feel like answering "If you don't like it, don't listen to it.", as I said, I like the music, and the drumming obviously, and respect Steven's artistic choices, but it'd be nice to hear your input on the subject (I mean, Colin is smiling from side to side while Steven is really focused on the negative implications of the song, and also shows it in his face, so it's kind of confusing :P).
Alright, I hope you understand what I'm trying to ask here. Thanks.


Fox.

Steven writes these lyrics because of inspiration, If you listen to In Absentia, he speaks of child molesters, rapists, serial killers, etc etc. He has stated that he doesn't write the lyrics to display his specific message, just too display his thoughts on the topic and how real these situations are. With the pills situation, that is an epidemic in a lot of countries where a lot of people were under the influence of pills such as ecstasy and prescription. the lyrics in deadwing though were about a movie script he wrote and isn't about depressed topics more of a sequence. You should really listen to his interview on the "Futile EP" about his lyrical writings for In Absentia and everything.

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

A question about the quick and fast "double strokes" you use in Break (specifically the intro)... are those linear notes..as in RR LL RR LL RR LL? You do them so fast between the hi-hat and snare it's hard to hear exactly what's going on.

thanks

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

First of all, a belated (?) happy birthday!
I received the Anesthetize pre-order yesterday (though the shops already had them in stock last week) and I'm amazed by the quality! I was there two days and this brings back good memories. Compliments again to all of you! You guys played amazing.

One thing that I was wondering, how come that Steve never introduces the band? I have seen my share of PT concerts but I can't recall any time where the band is introduced (and this makes PT the only band I know that doesn't do this). Is this on purpose?

Cheers!
Santi

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Florian

I will be in Manchester and then Scotland for a weeks vacation in July....any recommendations on things that need to been seen/visited?

Yes try and find the Loch ness Monster!!!

Hi Kalma

do you think an 18" A-Custom Crash can be used to cut it down to a Chime?
You used cymbals between 15"-17" right?

The 18" will have a larger bell than the 13-15. I don't know what it will sound like. If it's broken - give it a go - you've got nothing to lose.

Hi Fox622003

I Iike Porcupine Tree's music, but I generally dislike depressive stuff, and there doesn't seem to be more than 1 or 2 PT songs that aren't totally depressive or even fatalistic in their lyrics. Now, So how do you feel about drumming to this kind of mood in the songs? Is it about the music for you?

No it's just about the money - what would you like us to write about...picking daisies in a field?....I'm joking of course....I'm allowed to because it's my birthday.

EDIT: So wait, then the part of Futile we were discussing is just groups of three on the ride bell?

Yes absolutely.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

A question about the quick and fast "double strokes" you use in Break (specifically the intro)... are those linear notes..as in RR LL RR LL RR LL? You do them so fast between the hi-hat and snare it's hard to hear exactly what's going on.

they are inverted doubles RLLR. Sometimes I pedal the hi hat foot so it goes RLLF

Hi SantiBanks

One thing that I was wondering, how come that Steve never introduces the band? I have seen my share of PT concerts but I can't recall any time where the band is introduced (and this makes PT the only band I know that doesn't do this). Is this on purpose?

Does he need to? Actually on the most recent tours he does - and I do my magic trick!

thanks to all for the birthday wishes.

cheers
Gavin

[Thaard]

Happy Birthday Gavin! When will the next album with 05ric be released?

[Swiss Matthias]

Hi Gavin - happy birthday!! Have a good one, despite being stuck at the airport...

I have a question concerning bass drum tuning: I find it quite hard sometimes, especially with bigger sizes - do you make sure each lug has the same tension, like you probably do with the toms? Do you tune the reso-head lower than the batter? I often struggle with the deep frequencies, it's hard to hear if the heads are evenly in tension.

[SantiBanks]

Does he need to? Actually on the most recent tours he does - and I do my magic trick!

thanks to all for the birthday wishes.

cheers
Gavin
Well I don't think he needs to, I don't have much with introductions myself. I just noticed it and wondered if there was any particular reason behind it as most bands seem to do it (and I have seen and heard my small share of them, some of them just too extravagant and embarrasing).

I'm however saddened that I missed the magic trick on the recent tours :-(

Enjoy your birthday!

Cheers,
Santi

[astroandy]

There ain't no band introduction with TOOL either. Maybe the band (and Steven) think, that the music speaks for itself, and who is interested in the band will go an inform himself!?

[astroandy]

Happy Birthday Gavin!

[ChrisGau]

Late but not too late ;-)...

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j209/spydergirl67/Holidays/drummer-1.jpg

I hope you had a happy birthday. All the best.

Christian

[ahector]

Hi Kalma

do you think an 18" A-Custom Crash can be used to cut it down to a Chime?
You used cymbals between 15"-17" right?

The 18" will have a larger bell than the 13-15. I don't know what it will sound like. If it's broken - give it a go - you've got nothing to lose.


Kalma, for what it's worth, I've cut down an 18" Sabian AAXplosion crash to a bell/chime and I'm really happy with it. It sounds different for sure. It sounds more like a bell than smaller ones do.

I'm not sure what your A-Custom will sound like, but you might get good results too. You really won't know until you try it out.

[Johnny]

Wishing you a Merry Gavinmas!

[Fox622003]

No it's just about the money - what would you like us to write about...picking daisies in a field?....I'm joking of course....I'm allowed to because it's my birthday.

EDIT: So wait, then the part of Futile we were discussing is just groups of three on the ride bell?

Yes absolutely.


LOL. You're a funny guy, Gavin. I hope you're having a great birthday. And I understand what you mean, lyrics are a very difficult part of writing music, and having a band motif must help a lot, and keeps the band on the same vibe.

As for Futile, I wrote down some of the part you mentioned on that live performance (HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE2kFrD1eWI)'s the link). I hope I got it right this time, as I'd really like to take it to the kit. Those at the beginning are groups of 5, right? And yeah, I see you playing tons of ghost notes in the middle, I don't know what all that is about.


Thanks for checking the forum even on your birthday!
Fox.

[euphoric_anomaly]

This question is for anyone who has the answer.

At 5:15 in "WAY OUT OF HERE" Gavin is hammering on one of his china's. What I cannot tell, and this is quite possibly the lamest question posted this year so-far is this:

Sounds like he starts out with quarter notes on the china, and then moves onto 8th notes when the double bass starts kicking in.

Or is it 8th notes and then 16th notes?

See what I mean about lamest question of the year?

Thanks everyone

[hauk]

This question is for anyone who has the answer.

At 5:15 in "WAY OUT OF HERE" Gavin is hammering on one of his china's. What I cannot tell, and this is quite possibly the lamest question posted this year so-far is this:

Sounds like he starts out with quarter notes on the china, and then moves onto 8th notes when the double bass starts kicking in.

Or is it 8th notes and then 16th notes?

See what I mean about lamest question of the year?

Thanks everyone

He actually starts out playing quarter notes and then moves to dotted eighths (assuming you hear that part in 12/8 like I do). No matter what he is not halving the value.

[ItalianRicky]

hi gavin!!!i'm just back from a 3 days vacation on the beach! ^_^
and i hope that is not too late to wish you a happy birthday Gavin!
really, i hope that this next year for you may be full of happiness!!

and i hope that all the love that you receive here from a lot of drummers\fan can make you happier too!I'm just waiting for my copy of your "rythmic designs", probably it will come next week,i bought it last wednesday!!!

Kalma, for what it's worth, I've cut down an 18" Sabian AAXplosion crash to a bell/chime and I'm really happy with it. It sounds different for sure. It sounds more like a bell than smaller ones do.

I'm not sure what your A-Custom will sound like, but you might get good results too. You really won't know until you try it out.

if i can say my opinion, i think that a cymbal like your may be useful to create a splash bell, i'd recently used an 17" AAX stage crash for a splash bell, and the result is very good! ;)

[ChrisGau]

http://www.gaublog.de/images/PassportMasterclassGavinSonorDays2010.jpg

It was a pleasure meeting you in person. It was great to have the chance to ask you at least a few of the gazillions of questions I have when going through all the exercises in your books and listening to your music. There were a few things I will take away, especially your repeated advice to try to "hear" displaced or modulated grooves as a completely new groove before actually playing them. So far my approach probably still focusses too much on the original groove... will have to work on that.

Although a few other class mates I talked to afterwards recognized me as the "guy that asked so much", I can only say that I really wasn't aware of that. I was just trying to cover as much as possible within 90mins ;-).

And be sure, despite all the technical problems in the afternoon, it was amazing as always to watch you. With Porcupine Tree you are usually quite hidden behind your set but yesterday I could get some good views on at least a few things you were doing. By the way... I really missed "Bonnie The Cat".

I had a great time (Benny Greb was also absolutely fantastic) and I hope you did too. See you next time.

[Joethebeat]

Hi Gavin, incredible drumming today! Your perfomance alone was reason enough to come to Bad Berleburg, although i only managed to see you on the main stage.

I didn't figure how to count bonnie the cat 4/4, but nevermind :-D

What went wrong when you did that classical finger sound of yours on the Tom? It looked like you were sliding too fast somehow and made no sound?^^ or was that on purpose, maybe it worked and I didn't get it?

Anyway, thank you so much for coming, maybe I'll get into masterclass next year!

Bye

[CareyCopelandCameron]

Hi Gavin!
Thanks a thousand times for the great day at Sonor....and the time to sign my little snare!
The masterclass was great,it was just a relaxing scene where every question could be answered and everyone got out verrry happy.
I hope this wasnt the last time I could be part of it and I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

...and...the show on the mainstage was superb!

Get home safely,come back soon!:-)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4653384053_8ce517028e.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4653383295_8f4343f987.jpg

[Chris Edwards]

Who cut off Gav's arms ????

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

Just watched that video of you testing out the KORG WAVEDRUM on youtube. Looked like you were having fun seeing what it could do. Which begs me to ask, would you ever consider complimenting your acoustic set with any electronic pads (similar to Bill Bruford's 1980's setup)? Or do you prefer a strictly acoustic sound?

Speaking of electronics, during Bonnie the Cat there is a spot in the song where it sounds like everything goes into a MONO format audio... not sure if that's correct, but it is definitely lower in volume for a few bars, and the drums sound almost electronic.

Thanks for your time
Cheers

Eric

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Thaard

When will the next album with 05ric be released?

I don't know but we are working on a new one at the moment.

Hi Swiss Matthias

I have a question concerning bass drum tuning: I find it quite hard sometimes, especially with bigger sizes - do you make sure each lug has the same tension, like you probably do with the toms? Do you tune the reso-head lower than the batter? I often struggle with the deep frequencies, it's hard to hear if the heads are evenly in tension.

I try to make each lug have the same tension. The front head is a little lower in pitch than the batter side.

Hi Fox622003

As for Futile, I wrote down some of the part you mentioned on that live performance (HERE's the link). I hope I got it right this time, as I'd really like to take it to the kit. Those at the beginning are groups of 5, right? And yeah, I see you playing tons of ghost notes in the middle, I don't know what all that is about.

what notation program do you use? It looks very confused. At the start of your third bar it should be a dotted eight followed by a 16th then a 16th rest and then a bass drum etc. It kind of looks wrong. I can't understand the second beat of bar two either.

Hi Joethebeat

I didn't figure how to count bonnie the cat 4/4, but nevermind :-D

I think there's a transcription of that rhythm somewhere on here on the forum.

What went wrong when you did that classical finger sound of yours on the Tom? It looked like you were sliding too fast somehow and made no sound?^^ or was that on purpose, maybe it worked and I didn't get it?

That trick only goes right about 70% of the time...guess I was unlucky.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

Just watched that video of you testing out the KORG WAVEDRUM on youtube. Looked like you were having fun seeing what it could do. Which begs me to ask, would you ever consider complimenting your acoustic set with any electronic pads (similar to Bill Bruford's 1980's setup)? Or do you prefer a strictly acoustic sound?

I really like the Wavedrum - and I still have the original one as well. I did use it a little bit on the most recent PT album. I might use it in my live setup one day - but I'm not interested in having pads all over the kit.

Speaking of electronics, during Bonnie the Cat there is a spot in the song where it sounds like everything goes into a MONO format audio... not sure if that's correct, but it is definitely lower in volume for a few bars, and the drums sound almost electronic.

They are my drums but put through a filter.

cheers
Gavin

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

Question about 'Sentimental', which I cannot stop listening to repeatedly :)
I try to count out the intro following the piano. To me I can count one bar of 5/4 and then possibly a bar of 6/4. Which would equal 11/4. However the chorus sounds like it's in 4/4.

The drums on that track are hard to follow, esp intro/verse... everyone wants to "hear" the snare on 2 and 4, but your mastery of displacement always seems to throw me off... good practice for me I guess.

So basically, my question is: what IS the timing for this beautifully composed song?

[Gavin Harrison]

It's all in 4/4. The piano at the start is playing a dotted 8th note illusion.

cheers
Gavin

[Swiss Matthias]

It's all in 4/4. The piano at the start is playing a dotted 8th note illusion.

cheers
Gavin

Concerning this illusion, I always wonder whether it's on purpose that the piano doesn't keep up the illusion at the outro but instead plays a very similar figure that fits into the bar? To me it sounds a bit like the pianist forgot what exactly he played through the first part of the song :) .

[Gus]

Hi Gavin,

Have you ever tried to attach your snare stand at your rack?.
It´s really comfortable. We´ve been trying it on a DW rack, with two Gibraltar clamps and a tube, and this is the result...


Greetings and thanks for the inspiration.
Gustavo

[Fox622003]

Hi Fox622003

As for Futile, I wrote down some of the part you mentioned on that live performance (HERE's the link). I hope I got it right this time, as I'd really like to take it to the kit. Those at the beginning are groups of 5, right? And yeah, I see you playing tons of ghost notes in the middle, I don't know what all that is about.

what notation program do you use? It looks very confused. At the start of your third bar it should be a dotted eight followed by a 16th then a 16th rest and then a bass drum etc. It kind of looks wrong. I can't understand the second beat of bar two either.


I use Guitar Pro 5, we use it to keep precise track of my band's songs, so I also write anything there, it's not perfect for notation, but has quite a bit of stuff. Anyway, Bar 3: It starts with a dotted eighth, and is followed by an eighth note, which is the same as a sixteenth + a sixteenth rest (two sixteenths). Same with the second beat of bar two, just an eighth replacing two sixteenths.
Here's the program's playback of what's written.
Also, the same transcription, but changed the eighths to a sixteenth + a sixteenth rest, in matters of time it's the same, and since there's nothing in between, and the cymbal keeps sounding, I thought it was more of a legato thing, so that's why I wrote an eighth in the first place, the sound doesn't really stop, as if there was a rest. But it's really the same.


Fox.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Swiss Matthias

Concerning this illusion, I always wonder whether it's on purpose that the piano doesn't keep up the illusion at the outro but instead plays a very similar figure that fits into the bar? To me it sounds a bit like the pianist forgot what exactly he played through the first part of the song :) .

I feel illusion works at the beginning because there's been no other time reference. At the end it wouldn't be such an illusion because everyone has understood the tempo by that point.

Hi Gus

Have you ever tried to attach your snare stand at your rack?.
It´s really comfortable. We´ve been trying it on a DW rack, with two Gibraltar clamps and a tube, and this is the result...

Looks good - I've never tried it. Doesn't the snare wobble when you hit it really hard?

Hi Fox622003

I use Guitar Pro 5, we use it to keep precise track of my band's songs, so I also write anything there, it's not perfect for notation, but has quite a bit of stuff. Anyway, Bar 3: It starts with a dotted eighth, and is followed by an eighth note, which is the same as a sixteenth + a sixteenth rest (two sixteenths). Same with the second beat of bar two, just an eighth replacing two sixteenths.Also, the same transcription, but changed the eighths to a sixteenth + a sixteenth rest, in matters of time it's the same, and since there's nothing in between, and the cymbal keeps sounding, I thought it was more of a legato thing, so that's why I wrote an eighth in the first place, the sound doesn't really stop, as if there was a rest. But it's really the same.

I understand - but it's illegible by normal reading standards. You can't really place a dotted 8th followed by an 8th (unless it was just a bar of 5/16). Traditionally you would put a dotted 8th followed by a 16th tied to the next 16th of the next group. That's why I'm struggling with the notation as it is. A lot of notation programs wouldn't even allow you to do that. How you've written it isn't wrong mathematically - it's just outside the excepted standard of reading notation.

Cheers
Gavin

[Fox622003]

I understand - but it's illegible by normal reading standards. You can't really place a dotted 8th followed by an 8th (unless it was just a bar of 5/16). Traditionally you would put a dotted 8th followed by a 16th tied to the next 16th of the next group. That's why I'm struggling with the notation as it is. A lot of notation programs wouldn't even allow you to do that. How you've written it isn't wrong mathematically - it's just outside the excepted standard of reading notation.


I guess it's more confusing to read, and if it is a legato thing like I mentioned, I'll tie it to the next sixteenth from now on, you must know what you are saying. Sorry for confusing you, I'm glad the part's finally down (?) at least :-).
All the best Gavin, thanks for taking the time.


Fox.

[SantiBanks]

Hi Gavin,

I have two questions about overriding. You use the dotted quaver override in 7/8 patterns like on What happens now? I think I can play the override good but I'm having troubles with the ghostnotes on the snare. Do you play 16ths, 8ths, triplets or something else as ghost notes on the snare? And do you just hit the bell of the ride or do you also play on the "edge" (more in a ghost note style?)

Also, for the song Last Call, when I first heard the track I thought you where playing an override as it sounded like that. On the dvd, you said that you played every second triplet (in the group of 3). Is it actually an override because that is how I perceive it?

Cheers!
Santi

[Fox622003]

Hi Gavin,

I have two questions about overriding. You use the dotted quaver override in 7/8 patterns like on What happens now? I think I can play the override good but I'm having troubles with the ghostnotes on the snare.


Ghost notes? But aren't you a keyboard player man :P?


Fox.

[SantiBanks]

Ghost notes? But aren't you a keyboard player man :P?


Fox.

A bit offtopic but yes I am but I always considered it my secondary instrument (which you wouldn't tell by the collection of synths, racks and boards I have…) . Though I'm back at the drumstool thanks to Gavin :) He really poked my interest and fascination for rhythm and the drumset with his remarkable talents and especially taste. Currently renting a rehearsal room with drumkit to practice and work on Gavins concepts and I have a mesh head practice pad to practice on at home. I'm comparing options for a practice mesh kit for in my tiny flat as I like to have something for myself to practice on.

[Gus]

Looks good - I've never tried it. Doesn't the snare wobble when you hit it really hard?


Hi Gavin,

I know that you have a really heavy pounding, which i don´t really have, but i would say it won´t move unpleasantly. The length of the tube isn´t too much, and the whole structure of the rack helps to keep it all steady, i think.
I picked up the idea from a friend with a Pearl rack holding a Stewart Copeland steel snare, and the DW rack is holding an Edge snare (around 10 pounds weight!) and it works OK to me on both racks!.

Greetings
Gustavo

[ZGR8DCVER]

First off, I am new to the forum; very glad to be here. That said,..... should I ask a Q that has already been addressed, I apologize in advance.

Gavin, you are an absolute inspiration in so many ways; Thank You!
I feel as a drummer it is very difficult to create one's own "voice" as opposed to, say, a melodic player. (Even Still Hard) You are amongst the very few that I believe have. I applaud you and all of the time and work you have spent perfecting your "voice". You must have a level of self-discipline I can only dream of! I sit in awe when listening to your playing, as do 99% of my friends and family; most of whom are not musicians. I very much admire your cool humbleness, you seem in no way an ego-maniacal "rock star". You carry yourself in a very respectable, admirable way; Cheers! (Either that or your acting talents are congruent with your drumming) I am sure you have heard enough about how amazing you are so I digress....

I am a huge fan of your "Kick" sound. I have heard all kinds of things about how you attain it: heavy pillows, wood, miking, heads etc.. Someone mentioned to me you use something to stiffen/harden the batter side. I love this feel however, I have not been successful at creating it well without giving up something in return; namely having a batter head that is tensioned too high, thus ruining the low punch I love. In short, what methods do you use to create your kick sound? 1)Tuning, 2)Muffling, 3)Miking and 4)Stiffening batter-head of the Kick?


Your input is invaluable! Thank You! Keep up the Mind-Blowing Work!

[Zildjoe]

Hi gavin!
just one question, I just saw de video of My Ashes Live in Tilburg (and it's amazing!) but i think you changed the ride you use permanently at live shows, am i rigth? because I see that is bigger, i think...

Wich is this?

cheers!

[Kalma]

First off, I am new to the forum; very glad to be here. That said,..... should I ask a Q that has already been addressed, I apologize in advance.

You should search through this forum and also check http://www.askgavinharrison.com

This question has been asked 1000 times..


Greets
David

[pearlguy]

I took up drumming again last year after about 23 years of non-drumming, and Gavin is one of the reasons why I keep enjoying the drums.

Good drumming is not only about good timekeeping but also about the little things the drummer does or, sometimes, does not do at all. Gavin is so incredibly versatile... To date, he is my biggest example.

It must be terribly boring for him to read all these superlatives. :-D

There is one thing I'm really curious about. He says somewhere that he's got fifty plus cymbals at home. Since he is endorsed by Zildjian, I was wondering if he uses/has used any other brand and what his impressions were comparing cymbals.

I know, tricky question :) Maybe Gavin will read this?

[Florian]

Whats your pint of choice?


F

[Alex P.]

Hi Gavin,

Congrats to you and the others PT guys for the new dvd, it's so gooood !!
Please, try to come in France for a show soon :)

Bye

Alex P.

[Fox622003]

You should search through this forum and also check http://www.askgavinharrison.com

This question has been asked 1000 times..


Greets
David

Yeah, I think it rivals the one about the Custom Bells :P!


Fox.

[ZGR8DCVER]

@Kalma Thanks for the info. My apologies for my ignorance on the subject.

@FOX62203 Yeah, probably rivals the snare wire question too! Is this a Q&A forum? Hmm I think it is? Thank you for the answer to my question @Kalma

Observation:
Seeing as how there are well over one hundred pages of questions there is bound to be a bit of redundancy. Especially considering that there are multi-thousands of questions that we all have for Gavin. No need to be an a** there are plenty of other forums out there for you to do that.

[euphoric_anomaly]

Hey everybody,

I figured that there would be a few questions about Gavin's groove on "Bonnie the Cat".

Here's a quick little transcription:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4529/bonniethecatgroove800x6.jpg


Enjoy!

Terry

I'm certainly a novice when it comes to reading transcriptions, maybe I'm just viewing this askew, but to me it looks like he hits the snare twice (bah bah) in between the first bass note and the second one at the very beginning of the transcription., yet I can't hear any snare hits. how would I be able to tell the difference between a snare shot and a ghost note?

Thanks

[Fox622003]

I'm certainly a novice when it comes to reading transcriptions, maybe I'm just viewing this askew, but to me it looks like he hits the snare twice (bah bah) in between the first bass note and the second one at the very beginning of the transcription., yet I can't hear any snare hits. how would I be able to tell the difference between a snare shot and a ghost note?

Thanks

The one with the accents (">" over them) are the actual, well, accents :P The others are (mostly) ghosted, but some are more audible than others, I think.

Observation:
Seeing as how there are well over one hundred pages of questions there is bound to be a bit of redundancy. Especially considering that there are multi-thousands of questions that we all have for Gavin. No need to be an a** there are plenty of other forums out there for you to do that.

The site you were referenced to has many sections, and it's a lot easier to cover than the actual forum. Shouldn't be too hard to find out if your question has been asked or not.


Fox.

[SantiBanks]

I'm certainly a novice when it comes to reading transcriptions, maybe I'm just viewing this askew, but to me it looks like he hits the snare twice (bah bah) in between the first bass note and the second one at the very beginning of the transcription., yet I can't hear any snare hits. how would I be able to tell the difference between a snare shot and a ghost note?

Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huCBXUAmle0

Between 0:14 and 0:22 is the groove for bonnie the cat. Maybe it helps you a bit :)

[euphoric_anomaly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huCBXUAmle0

Between 0:14 and 0:22 is the groove for bonnie the cat. Maybe it helps you a bit :)

Thank you :) That clears everything up. I just couldn't hear it in the studio version.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi SantiBanks

I have two questions about overriding. You use the dotted quaver override in 7/8 patterns like on What happens now? I think I can play the override good but I'm having troubles with the ghostnotes on the snare. Do you play 16ths, 8ths, triplets or something else as ghost notes on the snare? And do you just hit the bell of the ride or do you also play on the "edge" (more in a ghost note style?)

where I can - I generally play the ghost notes as 16ths in that pattern. I play the bell of the ride in that section.

Also, for the song Last Call, when I first heard the track I thought you where playing an override as it sounded like that. On the dvd, you said that you played every second triplet (in the group of 3). Is it actually an override because that is how I perceive it?

No I didn't say that I played every second triplet. I said that the second bass drum note and the main snare accent lands on the second triplet. There's no overriding going on in that song - the hi hat is generally 4 in a bar. Have you seen Terry's transcription of it in the Rhythmic Designs book?

Hi ZGR8DCVER

I am a huge fan of your "Kick" sound. I have heard all kinds of things about how you attain it: heavy pillows, wood, miking, heads etc.. Someone mentioned to me you use something to stiffen/harden the batter side. I love this feel however, I have not been successful at creating it well without giving up something in return; namely having a batter head that is tensioned too high, thus ruining the low punch I love. In short, what methods do you use to create your kick sound? 1)Tuning, 2)Muffling, 3)Miking and 4)Stiffening batter-head of the Kick?

The tuning is pretty loose. Inside is a fairly large pillow that rests against both heads. That's the reason that the batter head is a bit 'stiff' and the head doesn't move too much. The mics (in my studio at home) are Audix D6 - Shure SM91 on the pillow - Sennheiser MKH40 pointing at the front head. There's some further explanation here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOJOACCcEgE

Hi Zildjoe

just one question, I just saw de video of My Ashes Live in Tilburg (and it's amazing!) but i think you changed the ride you use permanently at live shows, am i rigth? because I see that is bigger, i think...

No it's exactly the same Zildjian 20"K Ride that I've used for many years.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

the hard thing about playing ghost notes is to know how loud you need to play them. Sometimes when all the other instruments are playing they drown out the ghost notes. In this particular pattern it's really important to play them anyway as the groove feels quite different if you play it without them.

cheers
Gavin

[SantiBanks]

Hi SantiBanks

where I can - I generally play the ghost notes as 16ths in that pattern. I play the bell of the ride in that section.


Thanks for clarifying that up! Time to work on it :)


No I didn't say that I played every second triplet. I said that the second bass drum note and the main snare accent lands on the second triplet. There's no overriding going on in that song - the hi hat is generally 4 in a bar. Have you seen Terry's transcription of it in the Rhythmic Designs book?


Sorry to have misunderstood the dvd. I'll check the video again and I'll check the transcription and try to read it (I'm very bad at reading music, be it a drumscore or a pianoscore. I always work out stuff by ear or write the notes under the staves with piano scores and work trough it bar by bar… Gives me the advantage of knowing 100+ songs from the op of my head, but gives me the disadvantage of inflexibility)

Btw, did I notice correctly, on the new dvd, that you are playing the beginning of "Sleep togheter" open handed? If so, is there a particular reason for this?

Thanks for your time.
Santi

[ItalianRicky]

i've received today your new dvd!!
royal mail is more faster than light!
your sounds are AMAZING!

[Deathtoll]

Hello again Gavin, I have a quick question on your high hats. How far apart do you keep the top and the bottom separated and how loose is your top high hat, and could you explain why you have it set the way you do?

Cheers!

[jojojojojo]

hi gavin,

you did very well at the sonor days.great hanging out with you.

could you explain the beginning part of drawing the line.i can´t quite figure out what happens there.are there a lot of ghost notes played by one hand on the snare.or is it played hand to hand?

thanks for sharing your ideas

god bless

jo

[huXler]

hi gavin,

you did very well at the sonor days.great hanging out with you.

could you explain the beginning part of drawing the line.i can´t quite figure out what happens there.are there a lot of ghost notes played by one hand on the snare.or is it played hand to hand?

thanks for sharing your ideas

god bless

jo

As far as I know he just plays the notes in between the notes on the Snare with the left hand.

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Santibanks,

did I notice correctly, on the new dvd, that you are playing the beginning of "Sleep togheter" open handed? If so, is there a particular reason for this?

You're correct - and I played it like that because I wanted to play 16ths on the snare drum.

Hi Deathtoll

I have a quick question on your high hats. How far apart do you keep the top and the bottom separated and how loose is your top high hat, and could you explain why you have it set the way you do?

I would say the cymbals are about two inches apart. The top cymbal is pretty loose because I like to really lay into the hi hats on the heavy songs. If you have your cymbals really close together you can't really play the hi hat effectively with your left foot or get a good clean "chick" or "splash" sound.

Hi Hi jojojojojo

could you explain the beginning part of drawing the line.i can´t quite figure out what happens there.are there a lot of ghost notes played by one hand on the snare.or is it played hand to hand?

It's quite a complicated pattern - and I tend to do a lot of the ghosts (but not all) with my right hand.

Now - for all the folks who have asked me so many times about my white 12x5 snare drum. Sonor are making a Ltd Special Edition of this drum (in celebration of their 135th year). You may have seen me play it on video clips on the net. Modern Drummer Festival - Clinics etc. If you want one you're going to have to be quick. Contact your nearest Sonor dealer.

34276
cheers
Gavin

[Pass.of.E.r.a.]

34276
cheers
Gavin

Congrats on the signature snare!

You make it sound as if a very limited number will be made, if so do you know how many (approx.) there will be?

I look forward to owning one!!

-Jonathan

[Gavin Harrison]

This isn't my signature snare. It's a special edition to mark their 135th year to coincide with the "Sonor Days" event that I just took part in at the Factory in Germany - they have remade the exact drum that I play quite a lot - the Designer 12x5 which hasn't been made in quite a few years. I don't know exactly how many will be made - but I understand that it will only be available for a short time.

cheers
Gavin

[Chaos_Inferno]

Are those snares available for sale anywhere yet? I... think I need one of those lol.

[Florian]

This isn't my signature snare. It's a special edition to mark their 135th year to coincide with the "Sonor Days" event that I just took part in at the Factory in Germany - they have remade the exact drum that I play quite a lot - the Designer 12x5 which hasn't been made in quite a few years. I don't know exactly how many will be made - but I understand that it will only be available for a short time.

cheers
Gavin

Order placed with my Sonor dealer....As I understand it, a very short run.


F

[CareyCopelandCameron]

Hi Gavin,

Ive got an interesting question I asked myself these days,because I had some hard weeks (or months?) on work and not really much time I could spend on drumming (simply no time or just too tired...).
Because of this bad situation I asked myself again,what makes me love playing this instrument?

I think I love the rhythmic physical activity,the position to be able to lead other musicians or change the whole musical situation with a few notes.Of course I love the sound of drums and the possibility to change it completely as I like (the tuning and the creation of my own personal setup of drums and cymbals in a way I like)...well,these are the main reasons...

It took me some time to think about this all,but the results make me happy.

So...what makes you love drums,what do you feel while hitting the drums?

Thanks for everything you want to share!

Chris

PS:Ive been looking for a 12x5 Designer for a long time...that special edition looks good!

[ItalianRicky]

just ordered ^^
i'm waiting for it!!

[SantiBanks]

did anyone ordered this snare online and if so, where? Searched the net all day but couldn't find it :(

[ItalianRicky]

did anyone ordered this snare online and if so, where? Searched the net all day but couldn't find it :(
santibanks, i think that all the biggers sonor dealers worldwide have ordered a few of this snare.i've ordered it just this morning, and the italian dealer have only 4 of those snares.
it's a really small production, and probably the better thing is directly contact the dealersof each country.


haha, i think that probably the great part of drummers that will buy this little jewel is made by users of this thread ^^

[ProDrummerAustin]

I hope you come to Austin soon

[Phil Brodermann]

This new snare drum is a 9-ply maple shell. Isn't your one 6-ply?

[euphoric_anomaly]

From what I've read, Slippin Away is in 5/8. The following question refers to the DVD copy of the song, not the MD 2008 Festival version.

The intro to the song "feels" faster than the verse. Once you hit the crash cymbal to start the verse, it seems as if the tempo slows a little, either that or you go from 16th notes to 8th notes. What am I missing here? Is it another wonderfully frustrating illusion or am I correct for once?

Maybe what's confusing me is the little electronic sound effects are faster in the intro and seem to slow down once the verse starts...

Thanks

[Fox622003]

From what I've read, Slippin Away is in 5/8. The following question refers to the DVD copy of the song, not the MD 2008 Festival version.

The intro to the song "feels" faster than the verse. Once you hit the crash cymbal to start the verse, it seems as if the tempo slows a little, either that or you go from 16th notes to 8th notes. What am I missing here? Is it another wonderfully frustrating illusion or am I correct for once?

Maybe what's confusing me is the little electronic sound effects are faster in the intro and seem to slow down once the verse starts...

Thanks


It could be heard in 5/8, but it's the same in 4/4, as "groups of 5". However, while it might feel faster, it's just sixteenth note triplets (like sextuplets). It's not really that hard, although it IS a pretty upbeat piece to be playing sixteenth note triplets, around 122 BPM, I think.
I know you're not a very experienced reader, but this transcription (http://www.jezenthomas.co.uk/Slippin%20Away%20-%20Gavin%20Harrison_0001.pdf) is PERFECT, and the part you are asking about shouldn't be too hard to follow.
Again, I recommend you try and learn how to read and write, like Gavin put it once before playing "19 Days": "...for those of you who aren't mathematically curious...good luck.". Seriously, if you want to get into stuff of this conceptual complexity, understanding music and rhythm at a deeper level than just what you hear is paramount.

EDIT: Oh, DVD copy, let me edit this, sorry about that! Well, nevermind, it's pretty much the same.


Fox.

[euphoric_anomaly]

It could be heard in 5/8, but it's the same in 4/4, as "groups of 5". However, while it might feel faster, it's just sixteenth note triplets (like sextuplets). It's not really that hard, although it IS a pretty upbeat piece to be playing sixteenth note triplets, around 122 BPM, I think.
I know you're not a very experienced reader, but this transcription (http://www.jezenthomas.co.uk/Slippin%20Away%20-%20Gavin%20Harrison_0001.pdf) is PERFECT, and the part you are asking about shouldn't be too hard to follow.
Again, I recommend you try and learn how to read and write, like Gavin put it once before playing "19 Days": "...for those of you who aren't mathematically curious...good luck.". Seriously, if you want to get into stuff of this conceptual complexity, understanding music and rhythm at a deeper level than just what you hear is paramount.

EDIT: Oh, DVD copy, let me edit this, sorry about that! Well, nevermind, it's pretty much the same.


Fox.

Thank you Fox. The transcription helped, I could clearly see the triplets being played. Although there was no time signature indicated in the staff...lol...go figure. Thanks for your help :)

[ZGR8DCVER]

Sonor Gavin Harrison Snare.

I contacted my sonor guy today here are his exact words:

"Item #11173519
Gavin Harrison Special Edition Snare Drum
SSE 10 1205 SD GH
Description: 9 Ply, 12" X 5"
North American Maple Shell
White Sparkle Finish
Designer based Chrome Hardware
18 Stainless Steel Snare Wires
Tension Lugs With External Tune Safe
2.3 MM Power Hoops
Made In Germany

MSRP: $1499.00
I ordered one can't wait!!

If anyone would like contact information for ordering (US) Please send me a message and I will forward you contact info. It is hard to find and as I understand it will be a very limited run, as well as a limited ordering period. It will not be here until late August, I can wait for a work of art!

Gavin thank you so much for your reply!

[Deathtoll]

Hello again Gavin, I was curious on a few things, you guys don't seem to play much from "Stupid Dream" any specific reason?
Also, what would be your favorite Porcupine Tree song to play or to listen too that was before In Absentia?

Cheers!

[ItalianRicky]

Sonor Gavin Harrison Snare.

I contacted my sonor guy today here are his exact words:

"Item #11173519
Gavin Harrison Special Edition Snare Drum
SSE 10 1205 SD GH
Description: 9 Ply, 12" X 5"
North American Maple Shell
White Sparkle Finish
Designer based Chrome Hardware
18 Stainless Steel Snare Wires
Tension Lugs With External Tune Safe
2.3 MM Power Hoops
Made In Germany

MSRP: $1499.00
I ordered one can't wait!!

If anyone would like contact information for ordering (US) Please send me a message and I will forward you contact info. It is hard to find and as I understand it will be a very limited run, as well as a limited ordering period. It will not be here until late August, I can wait for a work of art!

Gavin thank you so much for your reply!

what do you think about the 9 ply shell?isn't gavin snare a 6 ply shell??
seem to be little different...but gavin on facebook wrote that it have 6 plies, not 9.
gavin, can you explain? =)

[Phil Brodermann]

This snare drum works out to be just over £1000 if the figure previously mentioned is correct. That is quite steep, even for sonor. I'm not saying don't buy one, If I had money to spare I'd be waiting for one to arrive.

My point is; you could get an SQ2 version of this snare drum for a just a bit over half the price, you would have choice of shell thickness and woods of course; then you could take it to clinic and get a little Gavin signature on the side, a REAL one.

To me, that's the difference between a snare drum that says it's special on the side, and a snare drum that IS special.

[nolonx]

The snare is around 500 euro in europe. You can see the price here http://www.sonor.com/sonordays2010/images/stories/specials/SONOR_DAYS_Specials.pdf

I ordered mine this morning ;)

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi CareyCopelandCameron

So...what makes you love drums,what do you feel while hitting the drums?

it gives me the chance to express myself in a way that words just can't do. The funny thing is that I've lost my voice the last couple of days (due to a throat infection) so at the moment the drums really are my only voice.

Hi Phil Brodermann

This new snare drum is a 9-ply maple shell. Isn't your one 6-ply?

yes well spotted - that was my mistake - it is 9 ply - exactly the same as my one (which is a late 1990's Designer). And whilst I'm mentioning it - I believe it to be around the 500 Euro price mark.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

From what I've read, Slippin Away is in 5/8. The following question refers to the DVD copy of the song, not the MD 2008 Festival version.

No it's all in 4/4 and it's a bit of an illusion. 16th note triplets grouped in 5s.

Hi Deathtoll

Hello again Gavin, I was curious on a few things, you guys don't seem to play much from "Stupid Dream" any specific reason?
Also, what would be your favorite Porcupine Tree song to play or to listen too that was before In Absentia?

We don't do much from Stupid Dream at the moment - but we have done in the past. Pre-"In Absentia"? I enjoy playing Dark Matter.

Cheers
Gavin

[CareyCopelandCameron]

Hi CareyCopelandCameron

it gives me the chance to express myself in a way that words just can't do. The funny thing is that I've lost my voice the last couple of days (due to a throat infection) so at the moment the drums really are my only voice.


Cheers
Gavin

Thanks and get well soon!

Chris

[jojojojojo]

hi gavin,
your new dvd arrived today.live in tilburg.its awesome.

cool drumming in there


greets from germany

jo

[Florian]

The snare is around 500 euro in europe. You can see the price here http://www.sonor.com/sonordays2010/images/stories/specials/SONOR_DAYS_Specials.pdf

I ordered mine this morning ;)

I ordered mine for MUCH less than MSRP.....


F

[CareyCopelandCameron]

What means MSRP?

Chris

[ahector]

What means MSRP?

Chris

manufacturer's suggested retail price (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suggested_retail_price)

[drumstu]

Hi Gavin,
I think a read somewhere that you cut your cymbals used on your tree down from ones that were cracked or damaged. What tools did you use and how did you do it? What's a good way to get the edges the way you want them?
Thanks

[Kalma]

Hi drumstu,

Read this:
http://www.askgavinharrison.com/articles/152-What-are-the-little-splashes-to-your-left-bells-

[nolonx]

I ordered mine for MUCH less than MSRP.....


F

Me too, but that 1500$ someone posted was way too high.

[ZGR8DCVER]

MSRP is just that. One usually never pays it. The MSRP on a set of DW9000 double pedals is $916.00 US I paid a little over $400.00.
Then there is MAP pricing which is Minimum Advertised Price. This is put forth so G.Center for example can't put the local guys out of business by offering stupidly low prices because they can buy in very large quantities. Interestingly enough it is why G. Center cannot carry Sonor product; too many MAP violations. This applies only to US I don't know how things work elsewhere

[Florian]

Me too, but that 1500$ someone posted was way too high.

MSRP is 899 on that snare


F

[Sturla]

Hey Gavin!

I just want to give some credit for you show last night at Norwegian Wood festival. Really professional show and I almost got a Porcaro/laid-back inspired feel to your performance. Really tight band and you played wonderfully.
Hey, even thought I spotted a 22" Swish Knocker on your left-hand side.


best,
_________________________
Sturla Nøstvik
www.myspace.com/sturlanostvik

[euphoric_anomaly]

Gavin,

Do you ever suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or any other wrist/hand/forearm injuries while playing or touring? I've noticed a lot of interesting wrist twists and flips you do and just got to thinking that doing a lot of that overtime would get painful. Are there any exercises or stretching techniques you do to prevent such injuries?

[Tarthur]

Hi, Gavin!
First of all, I must say that you are a ridiculously good drummer who I respect and admire. First time I got to know about you was when I borrowed Rhytmic Illusions from a local library and blew my mind with it's contents.

My questions are: do you tend to crack your cymbals and do you think they brake because of improper technique? Because I tend to crack my crashes even tough hi hat and ride have remained undamaged. I got frustrated, when I cracked my last crash even tough I have paid a lot of attension to hitting my cymbals right, "slicing" them. I tend to hit hard, but I had even paid attension to the power I hit the crash.
Can it be, that cymbals just tire from playing before long?

With best regards,
Tarthur

[Rítmico]

Hi Gavin!!!

Recently I read that Derek Roddy and Thomas Lang from Sonor, and JR Robinson from Yamaha, left these brands to join DW drums.
Do you think that DW drums sounds better or it‘s because the money, or other factors?

Thank you

[floortom13]

Hi Gavin
I really admire your playing, as well as your effort to provide valuable information to all of us here. It is one of your trademark fills (3 over 4, of course) that I am interested in: I understand a fill like FOTBP 5:01 although I find it pretty hard to execute with such feel. Nevertheless, I can't figure out the somewhat similar fill on your live performance of 'The Sound Of Muzak' (MD 2008., at 4:05 of the YouTube video). I slowed it down a bit , I got the basic idea, but still I seem to be missing something, especially the left hand hi-hat. Could you, please, break it down for us?
Thanks
and cheers from Croatia

[Terry Branam]

, I can't figure out the somewhat similar fill on your live performance of 'The Sound Of Muzak' (MD 2008., at 4:05 of the YouTube video).

Hi floortom13,

Maybe this could help:

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2760/muzakmdfill2.jpg


Terry

[Fox622003]

Hi floortom13,

Maybe this could help:

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2760/muzakmdfill2.jpg


Terry

Great, thanks a lot Terry, now I can remove my incomplete and awful transcription :P
But that's just ridiculous, anyway. What are your thoughts on this fill, Gavin? I mean, 32nd Note triplets mixed with 32nds, isn't it a bit too fast? Even if the tempo isn't that fast, it seems like a pretty tough thing to subdivide.
And also, about the conga player trick you do on your toms sometimes, I've seen you do it *without* hitting the drum first. Is it supposed to be done like that? I'm pretty sure I've also seen you hit the drum first with a stick, and then slide your wet fingers afterwards.
I am not sure how much it can sound if you don't hit the drum first, while if you hit it, you effectively bend the pitch of the current sound. But then again, maybe I'm wrong, so...


Thanks, Fox.

[floortom13]

Thanks a lot, Terry!
At the first glance I think this is just the thing. Now when I look at it transcribed, it doesn't even seem so complicated. Great job!
@Fox:
about the 32nds and triplets: imho, at this speed one can think of those double bass hits like 1/64 notes as well as 32nd triplets. I am not sure there is a difference detectable by ears, so whatever looks more intuitive when written will work fine. Still, I might be wrong...
I can't wait for Gavin to take a look
cheers

[Gavin Harrison]

Hi Sturla

I just want to give some credit for you show last night at Norwegian Wood festival. Really professional show and I almost got a Porcaro/laid-back inspired feel to your performance.

Almost????? that's funny!

Hi euphoric_anomaly

Do you ever suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or any other wrist/hand/forearm injuries while playing or touring? I've noticed a lot of interesting wrist twists and flips you do and just got to thinking that doing a lot of that overtime would get painful. Are there any exercises or stretching techniques you do to prevent such injuries?

Luckily I never really get any strain injuries or CTS. I have of course on rare occasions twisted something and had a sore wrist for a couple of days - but I try to stay loose and I try to warm up before anything really strenuous.

Hi Tarthur

do you tend to crack your cymbals and do you think they brake because of improper technique?

Yes I certainly have cracked quite a few crash cymbals in my time. I don't always have the time to properly 'slice' the cymbal. However I have - for the last two years - been developing a special shock absorbing washer that has had very positive results regarding not breaking my crash cymbals. Since I've been using them the breakage rate has gone down a massive amount. When they are ready to market I'll announce it on this forum for sure.

Can it be, that cymbals just tire from playing before long?

Metal fatigue of course can be a factor.

Hi Rítmico

Recently I read that Derek Roddy and Thomas Lang from Sonor, and JR Robinson from Yamaha, left these brands to join DW drums.
Do you think that DW drums sounds better or it‘s because the money, or other factors?

I don't know why these guys left the companies they were with. Or why they chose DW.

Hi Fox622003

What are your thoughts on this fill, Gavin? I mean, 32nd Note triplets mixed with 32nds, isn't it a bit too fast?

It's certainly fast alright!!

And also, about the conga player trick you do on your toms sometimes, I've seen you do it *without* hitting the drum first. Is it supposed to be done like that?

You can do it either way - you probably get a better result if you get the skin moving first with a light tap of your finger or with a stick.

MANY THANKS to Terry Branam for the transcription.

cheers
Gavin

[nolonx]

Terry is THE man! :)

[supermac]

Gavin,

Enjoying the new Porcupine Tree DVD very much. Great playing all round from the band. The drums sound superb and they're nicely 'up' in the mix.

Of the many questions I could ask about your perfomance in the show, one is about your playing on Dark Matter.

The left-hand 'bounces' on the snare you play near the start are something I've never seen played before in that context.

I've been working on doing them and had a little success. (I can manage to control four or five decent bounces before I run out of steam).

Are you able to describe the technique/mechanic you use?


Cheers

[astroandy]

Hi Gavin,

I am a conductor of a few young concert bands, and I am no drummer, but very interested in rhythms and drumming. I was discussing this with some people, what do you think is the effect of cleaning the cymbals? We have some nice Meinl Crashs and they don't sound as good as they used to. I cannot imagine that they are simply aging, but they are getting more and more dirty and I think the dirt and dust on them are bad for their sound.

It would be very nice if you can tell your opinion. And also, can you give some hint about a book or DVD on tuning the drums? That's another field where I feel some simple things can improve the fun a lot.

Regards and thanks

Andy Lux

[Phil Brodermann]

Mr. Gavin sir, a strange question;

What was the inspiration for the title of 'Sanity and Gravity'?

Thanks very much, I do enjoy that album, there's some fantastic bass playing on there!